Performance measurements and analysis of the existing wireless communication technology in Iraq.

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel UniversityIraq may be considered as the largest wireless market in the Gulf region. A key driving factor in the market of wireless communication, it has seen enormous growth in the mobile phone market over the last five years leading to almost 24 million subscribers in 2011. Moreover, there are several technologies and services working in Iraq; three GSM Operators, three CDMA national operators and three CDMA provinces operators. The recent growth in the mobile phone market is based on the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) standards creating the next-generation wireless technologies in the Iraqi Wireless Communication market. One of the essential issues of this research is to investigate the performance of the decreased Quality Of Service (QoS) caused by interferences in the services on GSM/CDMA operators in Iraq. Many issues should be studied and taken into consideration, such as; does the Multi-Coalition Forces cause the interferences, jamming, higher rate of calls drop and false ringing; or are they caused by bad design and planning? Do we need to optimise our network due to the large number of users? All these factors are investigated and the measurements of most service providers and government agencies will be gathered. A detailed analysis was included from the providers with measurements of performance and the reasons for the deterioration of wireless services. The novel contributions of this thesis is the extensive radio measurement campaign over the three mobile an CDMA operator networks and the analysis and recommendations that were drawn to suggest the best approach to improve the QoS of Wireless communication technologies. Awareness of actual reasons behind the deterioration of services will be raised to the Iraqi Government, CMC and the wireless service providers

SURVEY: AUDIO READING SYSTEM FOR BLIND PERSONS

Audio Reading System is used to help blind people to read the text based on camera as input device and speaker as output device. The system used the OCR algorithm to extract the text from input image and Text-to-Speech algorithm to convert text into corresponding voice. In this paper, we review newest research of audio reading system. We discuss the hardware and software, which is used, on system for different types approach. Finally, the result of this paper that is: Raspberry pi, python and tesseract are best tools used in Audio reading system. Also the braille and finger print devices are not efficient and not easy to use

Behaviour of Axially Restrained Concrete Slabs

A study is presented of the behaviour of reinforced concrete slab strips under the combined effect of bending and compressive membrane action. The existing methods for allowing for membrane action in predicting the plastic behaviour of reinforced concrete slabs are reviewed and their limitations outlined. A new theory of the plastic behaviour of materials with tension cracks based on 'total strain' and 'strain rate' flow rules is proposed and applied to problems of axially restrained concrete slab strips. The effect of elastic axial strains, flexible restraints and physical gaps at the boundaries are carefully considered. The results of a series of experiments on slab strips designed to test the proposed theory are presented

Clinical efficacy of Diabecon in treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, in newly diagnosed diabetic patients and in those on drug treatment (Glibenclamide and Metformin) in Erbil Governarate-Kurdistan Region/ Iraq.

Various herbs have been found beneficial in the management of type 2 diabetes and are gaining considerable recognition in the management of type 2diabetes worldwide. The present study was planned to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Diabecon (Herbal formulation) as a mono therapy and also as an adjunct with other oral hypoglycemic agents, in the management of type 2 DM. A total of 80 patients of either sex, between 30-68 years of age, in whom the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes was confirmed, and who were willing to give informed consent were included in the study.All enrolled patients were categorized into 4 groups. Group A included 20 newly diagnosed patients who were not consuming any oral hypoglycemic agent (OHA), while group B included 20 patients who were already consuming glibenclamide but were not controlled, while group C included 20 patients who were already consuming metformin but were not controlled and lastly group D included 20 patients who were already consuming glibenclamide and metformin combination but were not controlled. Patients from all the groups were advised to consume Diabecon at a dose of 2 tablets, three times daily (30 minutes) before meal for a period of 3 months, either as monotherapy for group A or as adjunct in the other three groups. For all the patients, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and postprandial blood glucose (PPG) were assessed at the time of enrollment and thereafter every month, for 3 months, While Glycoselated haemoglubin (HbA1c), Total cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), High density lipoprotein-Cholesterol (HDL-c), Low density lipoprotein-Cholesterol (LDL-c), Basal serum insulin, C-peptide and body weight (BW) were assessed at the time of enrollment and after 3 months. Diabecon significantly reduced FBG, PPG and HbA1c in all groups, which indicating an improved glucose homeostasis under the influence of this herbal formulation. There was a mild improvement in serum basal insulin and C-peptide level after using Diabecon either as monotherapy or as adjunct to glibenclamide, metformin or glibenclamide and metformin combination in those with type 2 diabetic patients who were not controlled by such oral hypoglycemic agent. Diabecon caused improvement of lipid profile including TC, TG and LDL-c to a variable extent in all groups except for group B. Its main effect is on the reduction of TC which could be beneficial since hypercholesterolemia is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease. A significant reduction in body weight was noticed at the end of the study among all groups except in group B who showed an increase in body weight but it was not significant. This weight reduction is a desired effect in type 2 diabetic patients and may play a role in improving insulin resistance. Most of the patients reported a sense of well-being and no side effect were recorded either by patient or observer except rare cases of gastric upset. Therefore, it may be concluded that Diabecon is clinically effective herbal formulation in the management of type 2 diabetes either as a monotherapy in newly diagnosed patients or as an adjunct therapy in patients on conventional OHAs

Measurement of serum zinc level in patients with warts, cardiovascular diseases, and leukemia

Objectives: To evaluate serum zinc (Zn) level in patients with warts, cardiovascular problems, and leukemia. Patients and methods: One hundred eighty six patients with warts, cardiovascular problems, and leukemia; plus 30 apparently healthy volunteers were included in this study. The patients were classified according to their clinical conditions to three groups. Seventy three patients with skin warts, 78 patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and 35 patients with leukemia. Blood samples were taken from patients and controls. The blood was placed in zinc free plastic tube left for 45 minutes, then separated by centrifuge to obtain the serum. To one ml of the serum, 9 ml of 25% trichloroaceticacid were added and shaken for 10 seconds. Then the samples were put in a water bath at 37 ˚C for 10 minutes, centrifuged and the supernatant was transferred into a clean plastic tube, each sample was aspirated into atomic absorption spectrophotometer and the element was measured

Chemotherapeutic agents subvert tumor immunity by generating agonists of platelet-activating factor

Oxidative stress suppresses host immunity by generating oxidized lipid agonists of the platelet-activating factor receptor (PAF-R). Because many classical chemotherapeutic drugs induce reactive oxygen species (ROS), we investigated whether these drugs might subvert host immunity by activating PAF-R. Here, we show that PAF-R agonists are produced in melanoma cells by chemotherapy that is administered in vitro, in vivo, or in human subjects. Structural characterization of the PAF-R agonists induced revealed multiple oxidized glycerophosphocholines that are generated nonenzymatically. In a murine model of melanoma, chemotherapeutic administration could augment tumor growth by a PAF-R-dependent process that could be blocked by treatment with antioxidants or COX-2 inhibitors or by depletion of regulatory T cells. Our findings reveal how PAF-R agonists induced by chemotherapy treatment can promote treatment failure. Furthermore, they offer new insights into how to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy by blocking its heretofore unknown impact on PAF-R activation

Phenotyping acute and chronic atopic dermatitis-like lesions in Stat6VT mice identifies a role for IL-33 in disease pathogenesis

The Stat6VT mouse model of atopic dermatitis (AD) is induced by T-cell-specific expression of a constitutively active form of the protein signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6). Although AD-like lesions are known to develop in Stat6VT mice, this study was designed to determine if these mice develop acute and chronic phases of disease similar to humans. To address this, AD-like lesions from Stat6VT mice were harvested at two different timepoints relative to their onset. Lesions harvested within 1 week after development were defined as acute lesions, and those present for 1 month or more were defined as chronic lesions. Acute and chronic AD-like lesions from Stat6VT mice exhibited histologic findings and cytokine expression patterns similar to acute and chronic AD lesions in humans. Further analysis revealed increased levels of interleukin (IL)-33 transcripts in AD-like lesions compared to Stat6VT nonlesional and wild-type skin controls. Immunofluorescence also revealed increased numbers of IL-33+ keratinocytes in Stat6VT lesional skin and localized IL-33+ keratinocytes to a keratin 5+ subset. Furthermore, AD-like disease was more severe in IL-33-deficient Stat6VT mice compared to IL-33-sufficient Stat6VT mice. These studies suggest that Stat6VT mice can serve as a model of acute and chronic AD and that IL-33 may attenuate inflammation in this system

Toxicological Review of Anticancer Plants Used in Traditional Medicine in Morocco

In Morocco, traditional medicine utilizes many toxic plants for cancer treatment, despite a lack of scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness. Further research may be able to explore and discover the potential therapeutic effects of these plants' bioactive molecules with antioxidant and anticancer properties. Based on our review, we have determined that the 13 plants under examination possess various pharmacological and biological activities due to their diverse phytochemical composition. Despite their toxicity, these plants have a history of traditional use in Morocco for treating multiple diseases. Further research, including preclinical and clinical trials, should be conducted to investigate the potential therapeutic benefits of these plants. Moroccan cuisine commonly incorporates gruels, herbal drinks, and spicy beverages, which possess significant health benefits, including chemo-preventive properties and natural inhibitors against certain infections. These properties may aid in reducing the incidence of cancer and potentially have therapeutic effects in various human pathologies when consumed in appropriate amounts and in combination with a healthy lifestyle

BRAFV600E hot spot mutation in thyroid carcinomas: first Moroccan experience from a single-institution retrospective study

Background: The incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing worldwide at an alarming rate. BRAFV600E mutation is described to be associated with a worse prognostic of thyroid carcinomas, as well as extrathyroidal invasion and increased mortality. Objective: To our knowledge, there are no reported studies neither from Morocco nor from other Maghreb countries regarding the prevalence of BRAFV600E mutation in thyroid carcinomas. Here we aim to evaluate the frequency of BRAFV600E oncogene in Moroccan thyroid carcinomas. Methods: In this Single-Institution retrospective study realized in the Anatomic Pathology and Histology Service in the Military Hospital of Instruction Mohammed V \u2018HMIMV\u2019 in Rabat, we report, using direct genomic sequencing, the assessment of BRAFV600E in 37 thyroid tumors. Results: We detected BRAFV600E mutation exclusively in Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas \u2018PTC\u2019 with a prevalence of 28% (8 PTC out 29 PTC). Like international trends, Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas \u2019PTC\u2019 is more frequent than Follicular Thyroid Carcinomas \u2018FTC\u2019 and Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinomas \u2018ATC\u2019 (29 PTC, 7 FTC and 1 ATC). Conclusion: Our finding gives to the international community the first estimated incidence of this oncogene in Morocco showing that this prevalence falls within the range of international trends (30% to 90%) reported in distinct worldwide geographic regions

Global burden and strength of evidence for 88 risk factors in 204 countries and 811 subnational locations, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Understanding the health consequences associated with exposure to risk factors is necessary to inform public health policy and practice. To systematically quantify the contributions of risk factor exposures to specific health outcomes, the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 aims to provide comprehensive estimates of exposure levels, relative health risks, and attributable burden of disease for 88 risk factors in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, from 1990 to 2021. Methods: The GBD 2021 risk factor analysis used data from 54 561 total distinct sources to produce epidemiological estimates for 88 risk factors and their associated health outcomes for a total of 631 risk–outcome pairs. Pairs were included on the basis of data-driven determination of a risk–outcome association. Age-sex-location-year-specific estimates were generated at global, regional, and national levels. Our approach followed the comparative risk assessment framework predicated on a causal web of hierarchically organised, potentially combinative, modifiable risks. Relative risks (RRs) of a given outcome occurring as a function of risk factor exposure were estimated separately for each risk–outcome pair, and summary exposure values (SEVs), representing risk-weighted exposure prevalence, and theoretical minimum risk exposure levels (TMRELs) were estimated for each risk factor. These estimates were used to calculate the population attributable fraction (PAF; ie, the proportional change in health risk that would occur if exposure to a risk factor were reduced to the TMREL). The product of PAFs and disease burden associated with a given outcome, measured in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), yielded measures of attributable burden (ie, the proportion of total disease burden attributable to a particular risk factor or combination of risk factors). Adjustments for mediation were applied to account for relationships involving risk factors that act indirectly on outcomes via intermediate risks. Attributable burden estimates were stratified by Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintile and presented as counts, age-standardised rates, and rankings. To complement estimates of RR and attributable burden, newly developed burden of proof risk function (BPRF) methods were applied to yield supplementary, conservative interpretations of risk–outcome associations based on the consistency of underlying evidence, accounting for unexplained heterogeneity between input data from different studies. Estimates reported represent the mean value across 500 draws from the estimate's distribution, with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) calculated as the 2·5th and 97·5th percentile values across the draws. Findings: Among the specific risk factors analysed for this study, particulate matter air pollution was the leading contributor to the global disease burden in 2021, contributing 8·0% (95% UI 6·7–9·4) of total DALYs, followed by high systolic blood pressure (SBP; 7·8% [6·4–9·2]), smoking (5·7% [4·7–6·8]), low birthweight and short gestation (5·6% [4·8–6·3]), and high fasting plasma glucose (FPG; 5·4% [4·8–6·0]). For younger demographics (ie, those aged 0–4 years and 5–14 years), risks such as low birthweight and short gestation and unsafe water, sanitation, and handwashing (WaSH) were among the leading risk factors, while for older age groups, metabolic risks such as high SBP, high body-mass index (BMI), high FPG, and high LDL cholesterol had a greater impact. From 2000 to 2021, there was an observable shift in global health challenges, marked by a decline in the number of all-age DALYs broadly attributable to behavioural risks (decrease of 20·7% [13·9–27·7]) and environmental and occupational risks (decrease of 22·0% [15·5–28·8]), coupled with a 49·4% (42·3–56·9) increase in DALYs attributable to metabolic risks, all reflecting ageing populations and changing lifestyles on a global scale. Age-standardised global DALY rates attributable to high BMI and high FPG rose considerably (15·7% [9·9–21·7] for high BMI and 7·9% [3·3–12·9] for high FPG) over this period, with exposure to these risks increasing annually at rates of 1·8% (1·6–1·9) for high BMI and 1·3% (1·1–1·5) for high FPG. By contrast, the global risk-attributable burden and exposure to many other risk factors declined, notably for risks such as child growth failure and unsafe water source, with age-standardised attributable DALYs decreasing by 71·5% (64·4–78·8) for child growth failure and 66·3% (60·2–72·0) for unsafe water source. We separated risk factors into three groups according to trajectory over time: those with a decreasing attributable burden, due largely to declining risk exposure (eg, diet high in trans-fat and household air pollution) but also to proportionally smaller child and youth populations (eg, child and maternal malnutrition); those for which the burden increased moderately in spite of declining risk exposure, due largely to population ageing (eg, smoking); and those for which the burden increased considerably due to both increasing risk exposure and population ageing (eg, ambient particulate matter air pollution, high BMI, high FPG, and high SBP). Interpretation: Substantial progress has been made in reducing the global disease burden attributable to a range of risk factors, particularly those related to maternal and child health, WaSH, and household air pollution. Maintaining efforts to minimise the impact of these risk factors, especially in low SDI locations, is necessary to sustain progress. Successes in moderating the smoking-related burden by reducing risk exposure highlight the need to advance policies that reduce exposure to other leading risk factors such as ambient particulate matter air pollution and high SBP. Troubling increases in high FPG, high BMI, and other risk factors related to obesity and metabolic syndrome indicate an urgent need to identify and implement interventions