Homotopy Analysis Method for Solving Delay Differential Equations of Fractional Order

In this paper, we implement the Homotopy Analysis method for solving numerically non-linear delay differential equations of fractional order. The fractional derivative will be in the Caputo sense. In this approach, the solutions are found in the form of a convergent power series with easily computed components. Some numerical examples are presented to illustrate the accuracy and ability of the proposed method. Keywords: Homotopy Analysis method, delay differential equations, fractional calculus, fractional delay differential equations

Occurrence and distribution of crown gall disease in Jordan

Field inspection indicated that crown gall disease occurs in various fruit-tree-growing areas in Jordan, including Almafraq, Alsalt, Alshobak, Altafila, Alyadoda, Amman, Irbid, Jerash, Jordan Valley and Madaba. Twohundred tumorigenic Agrobacterium isolates were obtained from stone fruit rootstocks (bitter almond, GF677, GF305, Myrobalan, Nemaguard and Mahaleb), pome fruit rootstocks (apple seedling, quince, and clonal rootstock MM106), grapevine, olive, pomegranate, carob, rose and Cichorium pumilum. The pathogenicity of these isolates was proved through artificial inoculation on tomato seedlings and Kalanchöe plants, and through tmr gene detection with PCR. Biochemical and physiological testing of the isolates indicated the occurrence of biovar 1 (60.5%), biovar 2 (23.5%), and biovar 3 (1%), in addition to an intermediate biovar (15%). Seventy-seven percent of isolates were found to be sensitive to agrocin 84; of these, most (66.9%) belonged to biovar 1

Impact of Magnetic Field on the Stability of Laminar Flame in a Counter Burner

Received: 9 January 2023. Revised: 19 June 2023. Accepted: 27 October 2023. Available online: 29 December 2023.This study investigates the influence of magnetic fields on the behavior of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)/air mixtures, with a particular focus on the stability limits and flame temperature. The primary objective is to elucidate the impact of magnetic fields on the modification of premixed and diffusion laminar combustion within a vertical counter-flow burner. An integrated experimental setup, encompassing a counter-flow burner, an optical image system, an electromagnetic induction charger, and a digital image processing technique, was employed. This apparatus array enabled the capture of flame images across varying intensities of magnetic field and air/fuel ratios, thereby providing comprehensive data on both diffusion and premixed flames. A sophisticated image processing technique was utilized to delineate details concerning the counter flame front's geometry, including shape, area, and diameter. Acquired flame images were subsequently subjected to analysis using MATLAB software. Findings indicated a slight increase in flame temperature concurrent with the intensification of the magnetic field for both premixed and diffusion combustion. Notably, the presence of a magnetic field significantly enhanced flame stability across both flame categories. Furthermore, the flame disk operating area demonstrated a proportional expansion with the magnetic field intensity, with a more pronounced effect observed at 5000 gausses in the diffusion flame as compared to its premixed counterpart. In conclusion, this investigation underscores the pivotal role of magnetic fields in augmenting flame stability, offering valuable insights towards optimizing combustion processes.The authors acknowledge the University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq, for the technical support to conduct the research by allowing the use of the Center for Renewable and sustainable energy facilities

An investigation of the effect of smoking, alcohol, and drug use on male infertility

Background: Infertility in men has increased in recent years. Numerous physical, chemical, biological, and social factors are known to play a role in reducing semen quality, in between, there are high-risk behaviors that affect the quality of semen. In this paper, the effects of three factors: smoking, alcohol consumption, and drugs have been investigated. Methods: This case-control study was performed from June to September 2021 on 500 people, 250 people with normal semen quality and 250 people with defective semen quality. The data collection tool was a questionnaire made by researchers and semen test results. Finally, the collected data were analyzed by descriptive method with SPSS software. For quantitative variables, mean and standard deviation (SD) were used, while frequency and percentage reports were used for qualitative variables. Results: Drug use had a significant relationship with the shape and motility of sperm (B = -0.675, P = 0.005). The chance of natural semen decreases by 0.506 times with an increase of one drug use unit; moreover, the older the age of onset of drug use, the more the semen disorders (B = 0.514, P = 0.002).. Conclusion: Smoking and alcohol consumption were not identified as factors affecting semen quality, but there was a significant relationship between drug use and age of onset and semen disorders

Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants used in Palestine (Northern West Bank): A comparative study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A comparative food ethnobotanical study was carried out in fifteen local communities distributed in five districts in the Palestinian Authority, PA (northern West Bank), six of which were located in Nablus, two in Jenin, two in Salfit, three in Qalqilia, and two in Tulkarm. These are among the areas in the PA whose rural inhabitants primarily subsisted on agriculture and therefore still preserve the traditional knowledge on wild edible plants.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data on the use of wild edible plants were collected for one-year period, through informed consent semi-structured interviews with 190 local informants. A semi-quantitative approach was used to document use diversity, and relative importance of each species.</p> <p>Results and discussion</p> <p>The study recorded 100 wild edible plant species, seventy six of which were mentioned by three informants and above and were distributed across 70 genera and 26 families. The most significant species include <it>Majorana syriaca, Foeniculum vulgare, Malvasylvestris</it>, <it>Salvia fruticosa, Cyclamen persicum, Micromeria fruticosa, Arum palaestinum, Trigonella foenum-graecum</it>, <it>Gundelia tournefortii</it>, and <it>Matricaria aurea</it>. All the ten species with the highest mean cultural importance values (mCI), were cited in all five areas. Moreover, most were important in every region. A common cultural background may explain these similarities. One taxon (<it>Majoranasyriaca</it>) in particular was found to be among the most quoted species in almost all areas surveyed. CI values, as a measure of traditional botanical knowledge, for edible species in relatively remote and isolated areas (Qalqilia, and Salfit) were generally higher than for the same species in other areas. This can be attributed to the fact that local knowledge of wild edible plants and plant gathering are more spread in remote or isolated areas.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Gathering, processing and consuming wild edible plants are still practiced in all the studied Palestinian areas. About 26 % (26/100) of the recorded wild botanicals including the most quoted and with highest mCI values, are currently gathered and utilized in all the areas, demonstrating that there are ethnobotanical contact points among the various Palestinian regions. The habit of using wild edible plants is still alive in the PA, but is disappearing. Therefore, the recording, preserving, and infusing of this knowledge to future generations is pressing and fundamental.</p

Occurrence and distribution of crown gall disease in Jordan

Field inspection indicated that crown gall disease occurs in various fruit-tree-growing areas in Jordan, including Almafraq, Alsalt, Alshobak, Altafila, Alyadoda, Amman, Irbid, Jerash, Jordan Valley and Madaba. Twohundred tumorigenic Agrobacterium isolates were obtained from stone fruit rootstocks (bitter almond, GF677, GF305, Myrobalan, Nemaguard and Mahaleb), pome fruit rootstocks (apple seedling, quince, and clonal rootstock MM106), grapevine, olive, pomegranate, carob, rose and Cichorium pumilum. The pathogenicity of these isolates was proved through artificial inoculation on tomato seedlings and Kalanchöe plants, and through tmr gene detection with PCR. Biochemical and physiological testing of the isolates indicated the occurrence of biovar 1 (60.5%), biovar 2 (23.5%), and biovar 3 (1%), in addition to an intermediate biovar (15%). Seventy-seven percent of isolates were found to be sensitive to agrocin 84; of these, most (66.9%) belonged to biovar 1