Moisture Susceptibility of Hot Mix Asphalt Mixtures Modified by Nano Silica and Subjected to Aging Process

Moisture damage is described as a reduction in stiffness and strength durability in asphalt mixtures due to moisture. This study investigated the influence of adding nano silica (NS) to the Asphalt on the moisture susceptibility of hot-mix-asphalt (HMA) mixtures under different aging conditions. NS was mixed with asphalt binder at concentrations of 2%, 4%, and 6% by weight of the binder. To detect the microstructure changes of modified Asphalt and estimate the dispersion of NS within the Asphalt, the field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) was used. To examine the performance of Asphalt mixed with NS at different aging stages (short-term and long-term aging), asphalt mixture tests such as Marshall stability, flow, and Tensile Strength Ratio Test (TSR) were performed. According to the FESEM images, the NS particles in the mixture were sufficiently dispersed. The findings demonstrate that the NS enhances pavement performance by enhancing stability and volumetric characteristics and reducing susceptibility to moisture damage.  Furthermore, TSR values of aged specimens show that increasing the NS content significantly reduces susceptibility to moisture and oxidative aging

Community Preventive Measures Related to Coronavirus Disease-19 among Iraqi Population

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus (CoV) disease (COVID)-19 outbreak is considering as a health disaster which threatens the world right now because of its higher infectivity and unavailability of definite vaccine or treatment. The only effective strategies are a commitment to prevention and quarantine of the diseased people to decrease the transmission and spreading. AIM: The objective of the study was to assess the preventive measures adopted by the Iraqi population to protect themselves from acquiring severe acute respiratory syndrome-CoV-2 infection in correlation with their age, sex, educational level, and occupation. METHODS: A total of 619 volunteers were involved in this online cross-sectional study, all of them answered a semi-structured questionnaire including 14 questions regarding the preventive practices. The questionnaire was distributed into three general and mixed Facebook groups during the period from April 18 to 28. Data analyzed by SPSS version 23 using frequency tables and descriptive statistics for numerical continuous age variable, t-test, and ANOVA were used for mean differences in the preventive scores. RESULTS: The sociodemographic features of participants were showed that 81.3% were women and 91.9% had college or higher education. The majority (75.6%) were <30 years old and 42.5% governmentally employed. The mean preventive practice score mentioned by them was 2.60 ± 0.28 with the highest three scores was for stay away from infected and sick people, avoid crowded places, and avoid travel and commuting. A significant difference was found in the practice score according to age, gender, and occupation (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Iraqi people mentioned that they always adhere to the health instructions related to COVID-19 prevention as suggested by the government, health workers, and organizations. Male, students, and people younger than 30 years are less frequently followed the main preventive measures

Attitudes and Commitment of Healthcare Workers toward Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Infections in Hospitals of Thi-Qar Governorate

The nosocomial infection Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can infect both healthcare workers and patients and have an impact on the standard of treatment offered in hospitals.  The study aims to Identify the relations between the attitudes, and commitment of healthcare workers to prevent methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and sociodemographic characteristics. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out for 362 healthcare workers randomly chosen from four hospitals and distributed as follows: 125 from Nasiriyah Teaching Hospital, 80 from Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital, 80 from Al-Haboubi Teaching Hospital and 77 from Souk Al-Shuyoukh General Hospital Between October 1, 2022, to  May 1, 2023, and data was collected using a self-report paper-based questionnaire. Our findings indicated that 75.1% of the participants have neutral attitudes concerning MRSA infection. The relationships between attitudes and age, education, marital status, job title, and years of service were statistically significant (P <0.05). Healthcare workers' commitment were generally moderated. The participant's commitment to MRSA infection prevention was significantly correlated (P <0.05) with their age, education level, job title, and shift time. So we can conclude that Healthcare workers' attitudes toward the prevention of MRSA infection were neutral while Healthcare workers' commitment to preventing MRSA infection was poor. The study recommended Providing appropriate health facilities and personal protective equipment, Searching for the reasons behind non-compliance of HCWs, and Continual surveillance by medical institution authorities to protect healthcare workers against MRSA infection

Determinants for farmers' decisions to participate in developing agricultural tourism activities. An empirical study of Iraq's economy

As he cultivates agricultural land, the farmer plays a crucial role in agricultural tourism. Farmers with less innovativeness do not contribute to the nation's economic prosperity. Agriculture tourism in Iraq is not as advanced as in affluent countries. This study investigates the factors influencing farmers' participation in developing agricultural tourism in Iraq. This study is based on a previously unexplored gap in the literature because no previous research has investigated this gap. This study included secondary data and a Likert scale questionnaire for empirical proof. Participants in this study were Iraqi farmers. In this regard, the findings of this study are an addition to the literature and the body of knowledge since they reveal that the factors of farmers' actions have a substantial impact on agriculture tourism in Iraq. The study also has significant practical implications for enhancing Iraq's tourism industry for economic growth. Moreover, the theoretical ramifications of this study have contributed to the advancement of knowledge. The future directions of this research are essential for future agricultural tourism research.Amenah Muayad Abdullah (College of Education/ College of education/ Al-Farahidi University /Baghdad/ Iraq), Mustafa obay Saeed (Department of Law, AlNoor University College, Bartella, Iraq), Zainab abed Almoussawi (College of Islamic Science /Ahl Al Bayt University /Kerbala / Iraq), Hassan Taher Braiber (Accounting Department, Al-Mustaqbal University College, Babylon, Iraq), Ihsan Ali Mubarak (The University of Mashreq/ Baghdad/ Iraq), Jenan Ali Hammoode (Accounting and Economics/ Al-Esraa University College, Baghdad, Iraq)Includes bibliographical references

The effect of oil prices, oil demand, oil licensing round, oil product capacity, oil sector development, and inflation on the economic development of Iraq's economy

The oil-producing nations contribute significantly to the economic expansion of the oil exporting business. Political instability and infrastructure degradation have negatively impacted Iraq's economic growth. Less economic stability is a significant factor in Iraq's inflation rate. This study aims to determine the impact of oil prices, oil demand, licensing rounds, oil product capacity, oil sector development, and inflation on Iraq's economic development. This research uses secondary data from papers and surveys to determine its findings. The study indicated that oil prices, oil demand, the oil licensing round, oil product capacity, oil sector development, and inflation have an essential impact on Iraq's economic growth. This work is novel from a theoretical standpoint because previous research has ignored this gap in the literature. This study has produced empirical proof of economic growth in Iraq due to the oil industry and the issuance of oil licenses to various enterprises, which has significant consequences for practice.Mohammad Drai Ahmed (The University of Mashreq/ Baghdad/ Iraq), Maki Mahdi Abdulhasan (Al-Nisour University College/Baghdad/Iraq), Hassan Taher Braiber (Accounting Department, Al-Mustaqbal University College, Babylon, Iraq), Zainab Abed Almoussawi (College of Islamic Science /Ahl Al Bayt University /Kerbala / Iraq), Nidhal Raheem Mardood (Accounting and Economics/ Al-Esraa University College, Baghdad, Iraq), Hareth Shallan Moshref Alaamery (Al-Amarah University College/ Al-Amarah, Iraq)Includes bibliographical references

Knowledge of healthcare workers to prevent methicillin‑resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in hospitals of Thi‑Qar Governorate, Iraq

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is considered one of the nosocomial infections that can infect patients and healthcare workers (HCWs) and negatively affect the quality of care provided in the hospital. Objective: Evaluate the knowledge of HCWs regarding the prevention of MRSA infection in Thi-Qar Governorate. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted for 362 HCWs randomly selected from four hospitals and distributed as follows: 125 from Nasiriyah Teaching Hospital, 80 from Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital, 80 from Al-Haboubi Teaching Hospital and 77 from Souk Al-Shuyoukh General Hospital during the period from October 1 (2022) to May 1 (2023) and data was collected by using self-reported paper-based questionnaires. Results: Our study showed 68.8% of HCWs enjoyed a moderate level of knowledge, and there was a strong correlation (P value <0.05), between knowledge and some sociodemographic and occupational characteristics of the participants, which include age, educational level, job title, years of service and workplace in the hospital. Additionally, a relationship between knowledge and the source of the MRAS information was demonstrated which is a highly significant association between the total knowledge score and the sources of information. Conclusions: The knowledge of MRSA infection prevention among HCWs was moderate

Magnetosomes and Magnetosome Mimics: Preparation, Cancer Cell Uptake and Functionalization for Future Cancer Therapies.

Magnetic magnetite nanoparticles (MNP) are heralded as model vehicles for nanomedicine, particularly cancer therapeutics. However, there are many methods of synthesizing different sized and coated MNP, which may affect their performance as nanomedicines. Magnetosomes are naturally occurring, lipid-coated MNP that exhibit exceptional hyperthermic heating, but their properties, cancer cell uptake and toxicity have yet to be compared to other MNP. Magnetosomes can be mimicked by coating MNP in either amphiphilic oleic acid or silica. In this study, magnetosomes are directly compared to control MNP, biomimetic oleic acid and silica coated MNP of varying sizes. MNP are characterized and compared with respect to size, magnetism, and surface properties. Small (8 ± 1.6 nm) and larger (32 ± 9.9 nm) MNP are produced by two different methods and coated with either silica or oleic acid, increasing the size and the size dispersity of the MNP. The coated larger MNP are comparable in size (49 ± 12.5 nm and 61 ± 18.2 nm) to magnetosomes (46 ± 11.8 nm) making good magnetosome mimics. All MNP are assessed and compared for cancer cell uptake in MDA-MB-231 cells and importantly, all are readily taken up with minimal toxic effect. Silica coated MNP show the most uptake with greater than 60% cell uptake at the highest concentration, and magnetosomes showing the least with less than 40% at the highest concentration, while size does not have a significant effect on uptake. Finally, surface functionalization is demonstrated for magnetosomes and silica coated MNP using biotinylation and EDC-NHS, respectively, to conjugate fluorescent probes. The modified particles are visualized in MDA-MB-231 cells and demonstrate how both naturally biosynthesized magnetosomes and biomimetic silica coated MNP can be functionalized and readily up taken by cancer cells for realization as nanomedical vehicles

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication