Alcohol: from Mesopotamia to Modern Iraq.

An understanding of alcohol's place in Iraq's history and society can help inform alcohol policy responses in that country and other Muslim majority countries. This article describes the history of alcohol in Iraq from ancient to modern times, with reflection on the challenges facing Iraqi youth today. A search was undertaken to identify peer-reviewed and gray literature that describes alcohol-related practices, norms, and values across the millennia in Iraq. A historical overview is provided of alcohol's use and context, with more detail on recent times. Alcohol was an important commodity in Iraq until the rise of Islam in the seventh century CE. Despite the subsequent Islamic restrictions on alcohol, alcohol remained present in Iraq's society and cultures. Recent studies provide varying descriptions of the prevalence of alcohol consumption, and there are challenges in researching this sensitive topic. External forces shaping alcohol use in Iraq include direct and indirect alcohol promotion, globalized media, and conflict and violence with its associated stress and trauma. Alcohol research and policy development in Iraq must consider the country's unique cultural, religious, historical, and political context. Iraq's youth may be subject to pressures to increase consumption, and thus policies must be informed by an understanding of the complex set of current perspectives and pressures

Flood Modeling on Koya Catchment Area Using Hyfran, Web Map Service, and HEC-RAS Software

In this research, The boundaries of the Koya catchment area have been delineated, and valley paths in the region were drawn by using the Water Modeling System (WMS) software, Analysis of the morphometric information indicated that the morphometric characteristics of watersheds contribute to the floods. The average surface runoff depth depends on the curve number values that are determined based on the types of soil cover and soil class according to Harmonized World Soil Database HWSD software that indicates the soil class in the study area are Group B silt loam,  The results obtained also show that the potential for surface runoff varies with land use and soil characteristics. Also, the value of the curve number (CN) was determined to be 71. The hydrological modeling was performed by the HEC-HMS program that simulates the process of rainfall to runoff using the SCS curve number model. A flood hydrograph was constructed at the catchment area outlet and the floodplain delineation was verified by the HEC-RAS software. The results indicated that the 100-year return period flood could Reach critical areas such as the urban area, agricultural area, residential areas. the results of this study indicate that there are suitable sites in the catchment areas for constructing small dams and ponds for water harvesting.&nbsp

'I-V Characteristic and Crystal Structural Of a-As/c-Si Heterojunctions

In this research the a-As flims have been prepared by thermal evaporation with thickness 250 nm and rata of deposition r_d(1.04nm/sec) as function to annealing temperature (373 and 473K), from XRD analysis we can see that the degree of crystalline increase with T_a, and I-V characteristic for dark and illumination shows that forward bias current varieties approximately exponentially with voltage bias. Also we found that the quality factor and saturation current dependence on annealing temperatures

Evaluación de un protector antipolvo electrostático de carga automática para aplicaciones de células solares en el clima exterior de Bagdad

Introduction: It is well known that the biggest problem facing the utilizing of solar cell Panels in Baghdad is the unpredictable dusty weather through the days of year. This big problem is not easy to overcome due to the frequent dust accumulations and the high cost of cleaning and other maintenance problems. Dust problems are increasing due to global warming. In Baghdad city, where solar radiation is intense and available almost throughout the year, Deposition of dust on the panels could severely minimize solar-to power output efficiency. There are many methods for dust removing from surfaces like the natural dust removal of wind, mechanical dust removing, super-hydrophobic on solar panel surface, and the electrostatic method which is adopted in this work. The dust particles will be charged statistically by rolling on the surface of the solar panels they will have the same electric charge and the electrostatic forces between them are repulsion. Hence, the dust particles will float away from the solar panels. Materials and Methods: A self-charging transparent conductive glass is prepared by spraying a thin film (141 nm thickness) of a Tin dioxide (SnO2) solution on a glass substrate (12x12 cm2). The dust shield is connected to an electronic charging circuit. The shield is located on the top of a silicon solar cell. The novel idea is that the shield is electrically supplied by the solar cell itself whereas D.C. current from the solar cell itself is used to charge the conductive glass, which is located on the top surface of the cell. Results and Discussion: A test was done for dust removing from a Silicon solar cell by electrostatic repulsion method, considering matching the spectral response region of the Siliconsolar cells with the film transmittance spectral region (400 -700 nm). The transmittance value is between (92 – 95)% and results are compared withan identical reference solar cell. Results show a good response as the calculated clearing factor value increases due to the cell efficiency increment.Also, the clearing factor is discussed as a function of outdoor temperature to show a direct proportionality, while the environmental humidity showed an inverse proportionality. Conclusions: A self-cleaning method for a solar cell is successfully introduced via a conductive glass. tests were carried outdoor in Baghdad city. Results showed that there is a direct proportionality between both: the clearing factor and the efficiency gain with the ambient temperature. The ambient humidity showed indirect proportionality with system efficiency (clearing factor and efficiency gain show reduction as the humidity percentage increases)

Skin eruptions following treatment with Iodine-131 for hyperthyroidism. A rare and un-reported early/intermediate side effect

BACKGROUND: Iodine-131 (131I) is a well-established method for the treatment of hyperthyroidism. Following such therapy, patients may experience symptoms relating to early or delayed side effects that can be prevented or minimized if necessary measures are taken. We have noticed an unusual side effect of 131I therapy in the form of a skin eruption (iododerma) and aimed at assessing the frequency and severity of this side effect. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective review of 141 patients treated with 131I between January 1994 to December 2000 (86 F, 55 M; mean age 41.35 ± 11.02 years) was performed. The dose of 131I ranged from 250-500 MBq. Post therapy clinical and biochemical evaluation of thyroid function was done at 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 9 months then annually. RESULTS: Of the 141 treated patients, 3 patients (2.1%) presented with iododerma 4-6 weeks after 131I therapy administration. Lesions were observed at both ankles & lower legs in all 3 cases. All lesions disappeared within 6 months with no residual effect. No other skin lesions were seen thereafter during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Iododerma is a rare complication of 131I therapy that has not been reported before. It appears within 4-6 weeks after therapy and is a self-limiting condition

Risk Indicators for Tooth Loss Due to Periodontal Disease

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/142117/1/jper1910.pd

Geographical differences in semen characteristics of 13 892 infertile men

Objective: To assess the relationship between geographical differences and all semen parameters, across 13,892 infertile men of 84 diverse nationalities, recruited at a specialised tertiary hospital that represents the main healthcare provider in Qatar. Male infertility is an important and global public health problem. Despite this, there is a significant scarcity of epidemiological male infertility and semen analysis research in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, as well as geographical comparisons with other parts of the world. Patients and methods: Retrospective study of semen findings of 13 892 infertile men assessed at the Male Infertility Unit at Hamad Medical Corporation, in Qatar between January 2012 and August 2015. Based on country of origin, patients were categorised into those from the MENA region (n = 8799) and non-MENA patients (n = 5093). The two groups were compared across demographic features and semen characteristics: age, sperm volume, sperm total motility, sperm progressive motility (PMot), abnormal sperm forms (ABF), and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF). Results: The whole sample's mean (SD) age was 35.7 (0.7) years, sperm concentration was 32.3 (0.25) × 106 sperm/mL, total motility was 45.4 (0.2)%, sperm PMot was 25.1 (0.2)%, and ABF was 79.9 (0.2)%. Overall, 841 patients had azoospermia (6.05%), 3231 had oligospermia (23.3%), 4239 had asthenospermia (30.5%) and 6772 had teratospermia (48.7%). SDF (1050 patients) was abnormal in 333 patients (31.7%). MENA patients were significantly younger than their non-MENA counterparts and had a greater semen volume. Non-MENA patients had significantly higher sperm counts, total motility and PMot, and lower ABF. SDF showed no statistical difference between the two groups. MENA patients had significantly higher prevalence of oligospermia, asthenospermia, and teratospermia; and lower prevalence of normal sperm concentration, normal motility, and normal morphology. Throughout the 4 years of the study, MENA patients constantly had significantly lower sperm counts; generally lower sperm total motility percentage and generally lower quality sperm morphology. We compared patients by age (≤40 and >40 years): in the patients aged ≤40 years, the same results as for the overall study were reproduced; in the >40-years group, the same results were reproduced with the exception of morphology, which was not significantly different between the MENA and non-MENA patients. Conclusion: Semen quality is generally lower in male infertility patients from the MENA region compared to non-MENA regions. © 2018 Arab Association of UrologyScopu

A Case of Inferior Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Ventricular Septal Rupture Leading to Cardiogenic Shock: Tandem Heart to the Rescue!

Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a rare but life-threatening complication of acute myocardial infarction. We present a case of VSR-related refractory cardiogenic shock that was successfully managed with TandemHeart® followed by surgical repair

Alcohol among young people in Iraq: a systematic scoping review

Abstract Introduction Young people in Iraq are exposed to conflict and trauma, and to alcohol references in uncensored international TV and media. Previous regional reviews indicate that alcohol is the least studied substance in Arab countries and no data on young people in Iraq were identified. Accordingly, we re-examined the scope of available literature on alcohol and Iraqi young people, including in studies where alcohol was not the primary focus. Methods Five major international databases (MEDLINE (OVID), Embase (OVID), PsycINFO (OVID), Scopus, Web of Science) and one local Iraqi database (Iraqi Academic Scientific Journals (IASJ)) were systematically searched for published articles up to 16 September 2019. Original articles that included any alcohol data on general Iraqi young or student samples were included. Results Thirteen articles met the inclusion criteria from a total of 3374 results. All studies were cross-sectional and quantitative. Most alcohol data were incidental rather than the focus of the studies. All but two studies used face-to-face or pen-and-paper surveys. Each study reported on alcohol differently—with most not using validated tools. A wide range of drinking prevalence was reported (2.2%–23.7%). Studies reported a relatively high rate (12.2–56%) of alcohol misuse among those that drink. Alcohol was associated with risky behaviour in the two studies that reported on this measure. Conclusion Results suggest a low prevalence of drinking compared to non-Muslim Majority Countries (non-MMCs), and a relatively high prevalence of risk amongst drinkers. More research is needed using study methods and validated screening or diagnostic tools tailored for the local Iraqi context. </jats:sec

Oxidation–reduction potential and sperm DNA fragmentation, and their associations with sperm morphological anomalies amongst fertile and infertile men

Objective: To assess seminal oxidation–reduction potential (ORP) and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) in male infertility and their relationships with sperm morphology in fertile and infertile men. Patients and methods: Prospective case-control study comparing the findings of infertile men (n = 1168) to those of men with confirmed fertility (n = 100) regarding demographics and semen characteristics (conventional and advanced semen tests). Spearman rank correlation assessed the correlation between ORP, SDF, and different morphological indices. Means of ORP and SDF were assessed in variable levels of normal sperm morphology amongst all participants. Results: Infertile patients had a significantly lower mean sperm count (32.7 vs 58.7 × 10 6 sperm/mL), total motility (50.1% vs 60.4%), and normal morphology (5.7% vs 9.9%). Conversely, infertile patients had significantly higher mean head defects (54% vs 48%), and higher ORP and SDF values than fertile controls. ORP and SDF showed significant positive correlations and significant negative correlations with sperm head defects and normal morphology in infertile patients, respectively. ORP and SDF were significantly inversely associated with the level of normal sperm morphology. Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, ORP and SDF threshold values of 1.73 mV/10 6 sperm/mL and 25.5%, respectively, were associated with 76% and 56% sensitivity and 72% and 72.2% specificity, respectively, in differentiating <4% from ≥4% normal morphology. Conclusion: A direct inverse relationship exists between seminal ORP and SDF with various levels of normal sperm morphology. Using ORP and SDF measures in conjunction with standard semen morphology analysis could validate the result of the fertility status of patients. © 2017 Arab Association of UrologyScopu