Acid-Stable Electrocatalysts for the Solar Production of Fuels

Sunlight is one of the few renewable resources that can meet global energy demand. Unfortunately, while solar energy has grown in the past few years, several economic and scientific constraints have hindered mass adoption. One of the main obstacles solar energy faces is the lack of economically competitive storage technologies. Artificial photosynthesis is a potential solution in which solar energy is directly converted into energy dense chemical bonds that can be easily stored and transported. One impediment facing the commercialization of artificial photosynthesis is the use of expensive and rare precious metals as catalysts. This dissertation focuses on the achievements of the past five years in characterizing novel, earth-abundant, acid-stable hydrogen evolution catalysts. While nickel alloys have long been known as catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction in basic media, it has only been in the past decade that earth abundant catalysts that are stable in acidic media have been reported. These discoveries are critically important as the many proposed artificial photosynthetic devices require the use of acidic media. In this dissertation we examine two families of hydrogen evolution catalysts: transition metal chalcogenides (namely molybdenum and cobalt selenide) as well as transition metal phosphides (cobalt phosphide). In addition to the electrochemical characterization of these catalysts, spectroscopic characterizations were performed in order to carefully examine the chemical compositions of these catalysts before, after and during the hydrogen evolution reaction. This analysis elucidated both chemical, and structural changes that occurred after the catalysts had been subject to the hydrogen evolution reaction conditions. The final chapter in this thesis delves into the techno-economic realities of energy transportation via different fuels. Due to the strong interest in renewable energy, several future energy transportation scenarios, including 100% grid electrification and widespread installation of hydrogen pipelines, have been proposed. In order to get a fuller understanding of such potential infrastructure alternatives, we report their differing energy transportation costs.</p

Molecular detection of extended spectrum ß-lactamase genes in Escherichia coli isolates from urinary tract infected patients

Extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBL) are a major source of concern. ESBL have been recorded around the world. Globally, the number of people infected with Enterobacteriaceae that produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) is on the rise. It has been a rise in resistance to ß-lactam antibiotics among them. In this study, the objective was to collect Escherichia coli  isolates from Urinary tract infection patients using selective medium, determine the prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli, phylogenetic groupings of isolates, ESBL production, and biofilm formation among the isolates of E. coli isolates. The study included 250 E. coli samples from male and female subjects and grown on a selective medium. The isolated bacteria were submitted to different tests, including the detection of biofilm development and testing of the phylogenetic grouping of the E. coli isolate using triplex-PCR analysis. Representatives of each isolate were phenotypically evaluated for antibiotic resistance and classified into phylogenetic groupings. The results of extended-spectrum ß -lactams antibiotics showed the greatest resistance levels. There were 100% resistance rates for Ceftazidime-Clavulantae (CZC) and Cefotaxime-Clavulantae (CTC), 78.7% for Ceftazidime (CAZ), 86.7% for Cefotaxime CTX, 84% for Aztreonam (ATM), 87.3% for Ceftriaxone (CRO) and 83.3% for Cefpodoxime (CPD). E. coli isolates belonging to phylogroup B2 (91, 91%), and subtyping B23 (75, 75%) were the most common among UTI patients. ESBL-producing E. coli isolates were prevalent in individuals with UTIs. Most E. coli isolates from UTI patients at Al-Hillah hospitals belonged to phylogroup B2, followed by D, B1, and A. B2 was the most prevalent group in the study. This study examined the dissemination of ESBL genes in phylogenetic groups of the E. coli isolates from UTIs patients in the Al-Hillah, Iraq

Distinguished Students in the Study of Academic Jurisprudence

Following the era of prophet Muhammed (PBUH), the nation has religiously relied on one of the four accredited jurisprudential doctrines. Despite their differences regarding many scientific issues, these doctrines did not deviate from the approach of the prophet’s companions in ruling judgments. It is the wisdom of God to set certain general guidelines and principles for Sharia Law to ensure a well-organized life for the people in all times and places. Islamic law is characterized by immortality. It remains as long as man exists. Its branches are renewed with the passage of each day and night. It is preserved by God the Almighty. Allah the Almighty has true believers in every period and time. They are mandated to revive the disappeared principles of this religion. In the light of this fact, it is a matchless honor to be the servants of this nation and, with the help of the Almighty, to enlighten people with knowledge. If we succeed in communicating our message it is because of the blessings of the Almighty but if we fail it is because of the whims of the self. The advantages of the Alasfia school extend beyond the mosques and into society. Many of the school alumni excelled in academic study. Among those outstanding alumni is Sheikh Yassin Mohammed Saeed al-Walid, who will be the focus of this article. The first segment considers the role of the students of the Asfiya school in the field of jurisprudence and academic excellence. The second segment explores the life of Sheikh Yassin Mohammed Saeed Al-Waleed. The third segment discusses the provisions of the Hajj and Umrah in terms of methodology and resources and inferences and scientific value. Finally, in the conclusion we present the most important results we have arrived at through this research. We pray Allah the Almighty to deem our work beneficial for muslims and finally all praise is due Allah and He is the guardian of success

Study the Serum Levels of IL-17, IL-23, TLR-4, and TLR-7 Role in Immunopathogenesis in Patients with Moderate and Severe Psoriasis

Objective: Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease*&nbsp;(a disease with an unclear cause that is characterized by inflammation caused by dysfunction of the immune system) that causes inflammation in the body.&nbsp;This study examined the relationship between immunological markers (IL-17 and TLR-4) and several socio-demographic parameters, including age, sex, disease severity, stress, smoking behaviours, BMI classification, and dietary preferences, in patients with psoriasis. Methods: Psoriasis on patients at the Imam Al-Hussein City Hospital in Karbala Province, Iraq, psoriasis from December 2022 to April 2023. The participants were healthy individuals and newly diagnosed, untreated psoriasis patients. Pregnant women, those with chronic conditions, and those receiving psoriasis medication were excluded. A case-control observational study was conducted, using convenience sampling to select participants. The PASI scoring method was used to evaluate four body areas, and the sandwich ELISA method was used for immunomarker analysis. Results: The study found significant dispirited in the severity of psoriasis among individuals, with 54.44% presenting with intermediate symptoms and 45.56% showed severe manifestations. The moderate and severe psoriasis patients were classified into five age cohorts. The severity of psoriasis correlates with age, with those with severe psoriasis being older. Socio-demographic features revealed a greater prevalence of moderate patients than those with severe psoriasis. The study also found a significant association between greater BMI values and severe symptoms, smoking behaviours, elevated stress levels, and higher consumption of processed foods. Immunological markers such as IL-17, IL-23, TLR-4, and TLR-7 were also examined, showed significant variations between control participants and those with moderate and severe forms of the condition. These findings contributed to understanding the determinants impacting psoriasis severity and its clinical implications for patient care and therapeutic interventions. Conclusion: Psoriasis patients make up a significant part of the study population, with higher smoking, stress, and healthy food habits. There was no significant difference in BMI, disease severity. of immunological markers IL-17, IL-23, TLR-4, and TLR-7 showed a significantly increase

Phase Measurement Units based FACT’s Devices for the Improvement of Power Systems Networks Controllability

This paper describes the importance of FACTS devices; it presents the outcome of the study of its reflectance on the performance of power system networks. It seeks to increase and guarantee the fact and accuracy of response systems under disturbance conditions when the phase measurement units are introduced as Real-Time Measurement (RTM) stations. This paper also describes the importance of FACTS devices. The combination of FACTS devices and PMUs is presented to increase the controllability performance of power systems. This paper demonstrates how PMUs measure voltage, current and their angles. It provides, through a communication link, a Phase Angle Data Concentrator (PDC) to make an appropriate decision to correct the power system state using the FACTS device (TCSC). We utilized the Graph-Theoretic Algorithm to optimize the number and location of PMUs. The technique proposed was tested on the Iraqi National Super Grid’s 24bus network, Diyala City’s regional 10bus network and the 14bus IEEE standard test system. The MATLAB/PSAT package was utilized for the simulation of results. It is evident that our proposed algorithm and technique achieved the purpose of this paper as confirmed by the level of accuracy of the results obtained from most of the cases tested

Laboratory study on the effects of nutrient enrichment on a phytoplankton population in Sawa Lake, Iraq

Nutrient enrichment of Sawa lake water was made using different nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations during autumn and spring at three stations. Different concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus and N: P ratios were used to test variations in phytoplankton population dynamics. Nitrogen at a concentration of 25 µmole.l-1 and N: P ratio of 10:1 gave highest phytoplankton cell number at all stations and seasons. A total of 64 algal taxa dominated by Bacillariophyceae followed by Cyanophyceae and Chlorophyceae were identified. The values of Shannon index of diversity were more than one in the studied stations

Medicinal Activity of Alkaloidic Compound 1H-pyrido{2,3-b} indole Isolated from Solanum melongena Cortex Against Some Pathogenic Bacteria

Current study was carried out for extraction ,isolation ,separation and identification of the alkaloidic compound which is represented by   (1H-pyrido{2,3-b} indole from Iraqi Solanum melongena cortex by using cold ethanolic extract ,qualitative analysis ,quantitative isolation and gas-chromatography –mass spectrum(GC-MS) technique. This active compound was applied for estimation and investigation of its medicinal activity by using various concentration agains two pathogenic bacteria which were represented by Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus .the concentration (10, 15,  25. 50,  100  and 200 mg/ml),recorded inhibition zones diameters equal to b(20,21,22,21,23 and 41)against growth of E.coli bacteria strin wheras  the same concentrations showed inhibition zone diameters equal to (1.0,1.0,25,30 and 43 mm) against growth of  S.aureus bacteria strain the minimal inhibitory concentration was 0.1 gm/ml for both bacteria strains .Therefore (1H-pyrido(2,3,-b  ) indole compound  can be used for treatment of different diseases caused by these pathogenic organisms but this research demands further clinical and pharmaceutical studies . Keywords: Solanum  melongena cortex, 1H-pyrido{2,3-b} indole ,pathogenic bacteria ,GC-Mass technique .medicinal activity

Improvement of the Strength of Spot Welding Joint for Aluminum Plates Using Powders as Additive

This research is interest in increasing the strength of spot welding joint for thin commercial Aluminum by adding casting component to the welding zone in the form of powder. Those components are copper, manganese and magnesium which are added in a different percentages it appear that the strength of the spot welding has been improved by (14.5%) when adding(0.4 grams of magnesium),(0.1 grams of manganese ) and (0.4 gram of copper). The powder is added in the welding zone boundary after made a single hole with a depth of (0.375mm) and a diameter of (1mm) in the center of spot welding point. To increase the welding strength, five holes have been made with the same above dimensions through the welding zone boundary. The percentages of additive used after reparation the reduction of Aluminum powder. The value of shearing strength increase with a percentage of (27.3%) as comparing with those without additive. Also, heat treatment has been done, which gave a redaction in the strength of spot welding. It has been observed that the increase in the temperature of heat treatment result in decreasing in the spot strength. Welding and cooling environment have an effect on the strength of welded specimen. Hence, air welding environment gives a good welding strength

ERIC- PCR Typing, RAPD-PCR Fingerprinting and Quorum Sensing Gene Analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Different Clinical Sources

Recently, Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections proportions have increased significantly. Molecular typing and virulence analysis are good techniques, which can lead us to know P. aeruginosa infections. P. aeruginosa isolates were identified by using molecular method (16S rDNA gene) via PCR technique for accurate identification. The highest percent 41.26% of P. aeruginosa bacteria was found in the burn infections followed by 28.57% in wound swabs, 17.46% in ear discharge and lowest percentage were obtained from sputum samples. All isolates classified into six groups (A-F) according to classes of antibiotics. Of the 63 bacterial isolates, 100% were resistant to carbencillin, whereas 31.74% were resistant to ticarcillin and all isolates susceptible to imipenem. In addition all of clinical isolates indicated multidrug resistant (MDR) patterns, the highest rate of MDR was observed with pattern C these isolates were able to resist (9-12) antibiotics. All isolates were typed genotypically by using two methods of amplification, ERIC and RAPD-PCR. The results of the ERIC-PCR typing of P. aeruginosa bacteria that 96.82% showed amplification bands ERIC-PCR also revealed 17 groups of genotypes (A-R) and 4 unique isolates. The results of RAPD-PCR fingerprint revealed 12 groups of genotypes (A-M) of 40–90% similarity according to coefficient values and 4 unique isolates, except 7.93% were untypeble. QS genes (lasI, lasR, rhlI, rhlR), screen showed all isolates 100% were positive for one or more QS genes, in the other hand 82.53% carrying lasI, lasR, rhlI, and rhlR, while the 15.87% carrying lasI, rhlI, and rhlR and 1.58% carrying lasI, lasR, and rhlR genes. ERIC genotyping significantly correlated resistance patterns but not with virulence control QS genes. RAPD genotyping significantly correlated with source of infection, resistance patterns and virulence control QS genes. These results can help initial diagnosis MDR P. aeruginosa outbreaks associated with specific genotyping patterns

Determination Some Minerals in Cancer Tissue

Study was amid to detect sometrace elements in human tumor tissue, Manganese, cobalt, cadmium and Zink was measured in cancer and benign  tissue using atomic absorption ,  result show that cancer tissue have higher concentration of cobalt and Zink than  benign tissue,  it were 156.7±6.5 and 205.79 µg\g respectively.femaleshad higher concentrations  than males in cancer 2011.41±439.79, 114..54±0.05, 157.05±6.50 206.58±20.93 µg\gin Mn, Cd , Co and Zn respectively also in benign tissue Female 2373.37±703.56, 114.56±0.06, 154.50±29.4, 204.65±28.23 µg\g in the same minerals above. Keywords: trace elements, atomic absorption, tumors tissue