A Monte Carlo Study of the Effects of Variability and Outliers on the Linear Correlation Coefficient

Monte Carlo simulations are used to investigate the effect of two factors, the amount of variability and an outlier, on the size of the Pearson correlation coefficient. Some simulation algorithms are developed, and two theorems for increasing or decreasing the amount of variability are suggested

Multiple weak gauge boson production in high energy hadronic collisions

The electroweak standard model, as well-known, has been remarkably successful in describing a broad spectrum of high energy physics and has also given a satisfactory and consistent theoretical description of all the experimental data which has been obtained so far. The aim of the present work is to investigate some of the most important processes associated with the standard model which involve the charged intermediate bosons W(^±), the neutral intermediate boson Z, the pair production of weak gauge bosons and the Higgs boson. First of all we start with the study of the effect of the strong interaction on the direct production of weak gauge boson production at hadron colliders. We calculate the first order perturbative QCD corrections O(a(_s)) to the lowest order cross sections for photon and Z pair production at hadron colliders. The calculation contains divergences, represented in dimensional regularisation by poles of order O(1/ϵ) and O(1/ϵ(^2)), where ϵ = 4-n(_2). The order O(1/ϵ(^2)) terms are eliminated when real and virtual corrections are combined, and the remaining 0(1/ϵ) corrections will be absorbed into the quark momentum distribution functions. We then study the production rate of weak gauge boson pairs for proton- proton and proton-antiproton colliders using single and double parton scattering mechanisms. We extrapolate to the next generation of hadron colliders with centre-of-mass energy E(_cm)= 10-200 TeV. We find comparable values for the single and double scattering cross sections at very high energies. To expand our investigation, we study also the production rate of multiple gauge bosons at hadron supercolliders using the double parton scattering mechanism. These kinds of processes are important and represent a potential significant background for Higgs boson production. Finally, and for completeness, we study Higgs boson phenomenology, which now forms a substantial part of the physics program at the next generation of high-energy colliders. The calculation covers the production rate of single and double Higgs production at hadron colliders via gluon-gluon fusion, their branching ratios and decay widths

Potential use of drone ultra-high-definition videos for detailed 3D city modeling

Ongoing developments in video resolution either using consumer-grade or professional cameras has opened opportunities for different applications such as in sports events broadcasting and digital cinematography. In the field of geoinformation science and photogrammetry, image-based 3D city modeling is expected to benefit from this technology development. Highly detailed 3D point clouds with low noise are expected to be produced when using ultra high definition UHD videos (e.g., 4K, 8K). Furthermore, a greater benefit is expected when the UHD videos are captured from the air by consumer-grade or professional drones. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have been published to quantify the expected outputs when using UHD cameras in terms of 3D modeling and point cloud density. In this paper, a quantification is shown about the expected point clouds and orthophotos qualities when using UHD videos from consumer-grade drones and a review of which applications they can be applied in. The results show that an improvement in 3D models of ≅65% relative accuracy and ≅90% in point density can be attained when using 8K video frames compared with HD video frames which will open a wide range of applications and business cases in the near future

Serum Levels of Selenium, Zinc, Copper and Magnesium in Asthmatic Patients: a Case Control Study.

Background: Free radicals have harmful effects on cells and tissues and are thought to be responsible for the pathogenesis of many diseases including bronchial asthma. Selenium (Se), Zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and magnesium (Mg) are trace elements required for the antioxidant enzymes and hence the optimal functions of the immune system. Changes in the levels of these elements may lead to a reduction in antioxidant activities in asthma. Objective: This study was conducted to determine serum levels of the trace elements Se, Zn, Cu, and Mg in asthmatic patients in order to evaluate the associations of these nutrients with asthma in adults Subjects and Methods: Serum Se, Zn, Cu, and Mg concentrations were measured in 100 asthmatic adult patients and 170 healthy control subjects matched for age and sex. The patients were recruited from asthma casualties, referred clinics and wards of Elshaab and Omdurman Teaching Hospital, Khartoum Sudan. Socio- demographic data and clinical history of all subjects were collected in questionnaires. Results: Serum Se and Cu levels were found to be significantly decreased in asthmatic patients compared to controls. Mean serum Se and Cu for patients were 65.8 5.5Ig/l (mean SD) and 0.711 0.37g/l respectively while that for controls were 78.2 7.5 Ig/l and 0.939 0.322g/l respectively (P value was < 0.001). On the other hand the mean serum Zn level was significantly higher in patients compared to controls (1.2 0.51g/l and 0.94 0.254g/l respectively) (P value wa

Variation of Y-Chromosomal STRs in Yezidi and Chaldean Population in Iraqi Kurdistan

Purpose: Because many ethnic groups live in the northern part of Iraq which represents the Iraqi part of Kurdistan. Short tandem repeats are widely used in population genetics and forensic science. This research aims to analyze the Y-chromosomal STR markers of the two ethnic groups Yezidi and Chaldean. Subjects and Methods: A DNA from Peripheral blood from a total of 44 unrelated males was extracted (22 for each ethnic group) and analysis for eight STRs of the Y-chromosome (Y-GATA-H4, Y-GATA-C4, DYS458, DYS456, DYS448, DYS437, DYS392 and DYS19). Then, the PCR products were run on 10% gel of polyacrylamide and stained by silver nitrate. The results were analyzed by Power marker V3.25 and dendogram created by Mega X software. Results: The highest diversity observed at Y-GATA-C4 (GD: 0.81) while lowest diversity was observed at DYS456 (GD: 0.64) at Yezidi group. At Chaldean group DYS458 (GD: 0.88) was the most diverse, while the least diverse marker was in Y-GATA-H4 0.66 in Chaldea and in Chaldean samples loci DYS458. The marker Y-GATA-C4 was found to be the most informative marker in both groups with PIC value of 0.8605. Conclusions: The study confirmed the high discrimination ability of the Y-STRs analysis and providing dataset on these two ethnic groups of Iraqi Kurdistan. The dendogram of Yezidi and Chaldean datasets reveals that the Yezidi individuals are more closely related to each other as compared to Chaldean group because Yezidi people because of intermarriage among them more than the Chaldean

HIF-1α and ENPP2 as Biomarkers in Chemotherapy Resistance of Children with Neuroblastoma in south Iraq

Background: The most common extra-cranial solid tumor in kids, Neuroblastoma (NB) accounts for 10% of all pediatric oncology fatalities. It emerges in the embryonic neural crest due to the uncontrolled behavior of sympathetic nervous system progenitors, giving rise to heterogeneous tumors. Although immunotherapy and targeted therapy have advanced quickly, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation (RT) still make up the majority of first-line options for treating cancer. Recurrence of the illness and diminished efficacy of chemotherapy and RT are among the factors that contribute to treatment failure. This study was aimed at evaluating the effects HIF-1α, ENPP2 and oxidant / antioxidant of chemotherapy resistance with NB children.Methods: This study extended from May 2022 to end of March 2023, with age range  2 months to 12 years. 70 children (male/ female) were divided into three groups. Group A: includes 35 healthy children as control group, and  group B: includes 35 patients  of Newly diagnosed   and  group C: after three cycles of chemotherapy. Detailed information regarding the age and gender was recorded for every participant.Results: The present study's findings showed a considerable rise in (p˂0.05) at the levels of HIF-1α, MDA, ENPP2   while the outcomes showed a statistically significant  decrease (p˂0.05) at the levels of GSH,  in the sera samples of patients with NB  (pre-treatment) when compared to the control group. The findings, on the other hand, demonstrate that each of the following parameters—HIF-1, MDA, and GSH—decreased in levels in NB patients after receiving chemotherapy dosages. Nevertheless, following therapy, ENPP2 levels increased.Conclusion: Our findings are indicative of the fact that early diagnosis plays an important role in the effectiveness of chemotherapy. and the levels of oxidant- anti oxidant status, HIF-1α and ENPP2 are significant features of the monitoring of disease progression and the efficacy of treatment

Reality and prospects of organic agriculture in Iraq and neighboring countries

Agriculture in Iraq represents a vital component of the country's economy. Prior to the development of the petroleum industry, agriculture was the primary economic activity in Iraq. Over the past several decades agriculture's role in the economy has been heavily influenced by Iraq's involvement in military conflicts (particularly the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War, the 1991 Gulf War, and the 2003 Iraq War). These military conflicts influenced government policy intervention to promote and/or control agricultural production. In 1971 to 1990, Iraq's population grew at an annual rate of 3.2% compared with only a 1.2% growth rate for Iraq's cereal production, given the context that cereals are the principal source of calories in Iraq. Nowadays, there is a strong debate about which direction should Iraqi agriculture take, for its revival and for contributing to national wellbeing, taking also into account the growing competition for water and the challenges due to climate change.This study will be divided into four main sections, which is an introduction in which the literature will also be reviewed, the second main section will be dedicated to organic agriculture and related activities since organic agriculture represents an important method for the extension of agriculture. The last two important sections will be dedicated to the results, which will contain tables of statistical data followed by a discussion in which data will be interpreted, and it will end with the conclusions and recommendations for prospects of organic agriculture in Iraq

Sustainability Analysis of the Company Financial Reports

In this paper, we analyze financial reports to measure the degree of harmonization between the disclosure in financial statements and sustainability reports. Content analysis has been employed to measure the harmonization degree to reveal the extent of complying with the sustainability reports. The sample contains thirteen Iraqi companies listed in the Iraqi stock exchange. It is shown that a low level of harmonization between financial statements disclosure and the sustainability reports. Nevertheless, the study found real interest by the Iraqi companies to adopt a standard of sustainable reports

Investigation of the Effect of the Force-Frequency on the Behaviour of a New Viscous Damper for Railway Applications

The primary purpose of this work is to experimentally investigate the damping coefficient of a viscous damper, intended to be used in railway applications to reduce noise emission. The viscous shock absorber used in this study is a commercial vehicle damper to which minor modifications were added. This investigation was focused on detecting the variation in the damping coefficient value over a wide range of frequencies. The experimental setup tends to simulate the railway vibration represented by a strong steel metal sheet structure attached to a shaker from its lower side. The shaker itself is connected to the damper rod through a dual acceleration-force sensor. A sinusoidal load with wide range of frequencies was applied by the shaker to the top of the damper's rod. Both acceleration and force time-responses were collected, stored and analyzed to extract the Force-Displacement and the Force-Velocity graphs. Based on the damping coefficients obtained for the different values of excitation frequencies, the results show that the damping coefficient is not constant and depends on the excitation frequency