Spectrophotometric Determination of Cerium in Some Ore in Kurdistan Region – Iraq

A simple and Sensitive Spectrophotometric method was observed for trace measurement of Cerium (IV) in different serpentinite rocks in two different positions in Kurdistan region of Iraq. The method is depended on absorbance measurement at (490 nm.) for the red complex (Ce - Sulphanilic acid) at pH = 4.75 reproducible results were obtained (Recovery 98 – 103) % for both ores and synthetic Samples of cerium in trace levels. Keywords: red complex, serpentinite rocks, spectrophotometric, ceriu

Oral contrast radiography evaluation in adhesive intestinal obstruction

Background: Adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) is a common cause for admission in the surgery casualty. Non-operative management is initially recommended unless there is suspicion of complication, but its optimal duration is controversial. The aims of this study were to evaluate the usefulness of radiographic small bowel examination with contrast medium to predict the need for surgery in ASBO and to decrease late-surgery morbidity.Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out in a tertiary apex institute in Kerala, India enrolling 50 patients with clinical and radiological features of adhesive SBO. The past surgical history, as well as clinical picture, blood tests and radiological findings in these patients were studied. Fifty millilitres of 5% barium suspension were given via naso-gastric tube, and plain abdominal radiographs were taken at 6 and 24 hours afterwards. The primary variable assessed was the presence/absence of contrast in right colon. Surgical intervention was decided upon, based on the treating surgeon's discretion.Results: In 36 patients, barium contrast appeared in the right colon. In the remaining 14 patients, no evidence of barium contrast in the right colon was seen, and 8 of them underwent surgery, while the other 6 were treated conservatively. There was a statistical significant relationship (p<0.01) between the presence of contrast medium in the right colon and being treated conservatively. There was also a statistically significant (p<0.05) relationship between index case being one for malignancy and undergoing laparotomy for ASBO in the study.Conclusions: Early oral administration of a radiological contrast medium in patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction can effectively predict the need for a surgical procedure. It can shorten not only hospital stay, but also the potential morbidity of late surgery, secondary to a prolonged and unsuccessful non-operative treatment

Stability of Rock Slopes along Raidah Escarpment Road, Asir Area, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The Raidah Escarpment road is located north west of Abha city, Asir region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This escarpment road represents an important corridor in the area which connects different villages and tourist resorts with each other. The total length of this road section is about 9 km which passes through a highly mountainous area. The road also passes through areas of different geological hazards (rock, debris flow, soil, and weathered zones). The different environmental factors (e.g. intensive rainy summer), variable geological and structural elements (weak rocks, slide debris weak soils, shear zones, and faults) difficult road characteristics (narrow roads with tight horizontal andvertical curvature) and various human activities in the area make the road susceptible to frequent slope failures (rockfalls, rock sliding, debris flow, soil slides, and raveling) from time to time. This paper deals with the evaluation of the stability of the rock cuts along the Raidah escarpment road using two methods including a structural controlled method and a raveling type method. Raidah escarpment rock cuts have been classified into sixty nine stations which were investigated and subsequently rated. Results of this study indicated that: (1) Based on the structiural control mode of failures, it was found that 12 stations are potentially unstable due to planar, wedge, and toppling failures, and out of them five stations have a major impact on the road in the event of failure, including stations 11, 17, 20, 31, and 40. (2) According to the Modified Colorado Rockfall hazard rating system, it was found that 13, 12, 13, 17, and 49 stations are of high, high to moderate, moderate, moderate to low, and low hazard. On the other hand, it was found that 13, 11, 11, and 69 stations have a high, high to moderate, moderate, and low impact on the road in the case of failure. (3) According to the field simulation tests it was found that 6 stations potentially show highly problems from rolling and bouncing rocks. However, out of these sites it was found that only 4 stations have a high impact on the road due to rolling and bouncing. (4) the areas that are impacted by the debris flows have been mapped and determined. Finally, different recommendations and remediation methods have been discussed to minimise the impact of problimatic sites

Which Divergent Thinking Index Is More Associated with Problem Finding Ability? The Role of Flexibility and Task Nature

Problem finding (PF) and divergent thinking (DT) are considered to be indicators of creative potential. Previous studies, with different goals, suggest a positive correlation between PF and DT. However, none of these works have explicitly examined which index of DT is more associated with PF. The current investigation examined the association between PF and three main indexes of DT: fluency, flexibility, and originality. It also tested whether such a relation differs based on task nature (verbal vs. figural). The sample consisted of 90 sixth graders who completed three tests: (a) a verbal DT test, (b) a figural DT test, and (c) a PF test. Correlational analysis showed that flexibility was highly correlated with PF in the verbal DT test, whereas originality was significantly correlated with PF in the figural test. Results of the path analysis confirmed the results from correlational analyses and showed that verbal flexibility strongly predicted PF fluency, flexibility, and originality more than any other variable. Likelihood ratio test showed that using 1 or 3% cutoff for scoring originality did not significantly altered the results in both figural and verbal DT (vs. PF), while the likelihood ratio test showed significant differences between the figural and verbal DT. Finally, predictor variables in the verbal DT accounted for 40–58% of the variance in PF skills, whereas predictor variables in the figural DT accounted for 28–37% of the variance in PF skills. As suggested by experts in the field of PF, the role of flexibility in PF is a fertile area to be considered in future studies

Wound Healing Activities of Rafflesia Hasseltii Extract in Rats

The effects of topical application of Rafflesia hasseltii buds and flowers extract on the rate of wound healing and histology of healed wound were assessed. Four groups of adult male Sprague Dawley rats were experimentally wounded in the posterior neck area. A thin layer of blank placebo was applied topically to wounds of Group 1 rats. Wounds of experimental animals (Group 2 and 3) were treated with placebo containing 5% and 10% R. hasseltii buds extract, respectively. A thin layer of Intrasite gel was applied topically to wounds of Group 4 animals as reference. Macroscopically, wounds treated with placebo containing 5% and 10% R. hasseltii buds extract or Intrasite gel have been significantly accelerated the rate of wound healing compared to placebo-treated wounds. Histological analysis of healed wounds has confirmed this effect. Wounds treated with placebo containing 5%, 10% R. hasseltii buds extract or Intrasite gel showed markedly less scar width at wound enclosure and granulating tissue contained markedly more collagen and proliferating fibroblasts, but with the absence of inflammatory cells compared to wounds treated with blank placebo. In conclusion, the findings of increased rate of wound closure and contraction together with the histological findingssuggest that Rafflesia hasseltii buds extract is very effective in accelerating the wound healing process

Symbolic Analysis of Waiting for Godot: A Critical Comparison Between the Bible and Quran Symbols in Waiting for Godot

Waiting for Godot (1952) is a conventional and remarkable play that is written by Irish author Samuel Beckett. The play Waiting for Godot is part of theater of absurd and it is written during modernism. This research is divided into three different sections and conclusion. Firstly the introduction for this research is given and the twentieth century drama, theater of the absurd, and the summary of the play. Also in an independent section we show other people’s work on the play Waiting for Godot. Later on we clarified the Biblical and Quranic symbols in Waiting for Godot and shows the comparison of the symbols in the holy books Quran and Bible in Waiting for Godot. Eventually, conclusion will be drawn as the final outcome of the study.

EVALUATION OF LOW LEVEL LASER THERAPY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CHEMOTHERAPY-INDUCED ORAL MUCOSITIS IN PEDIATRIC AND YOUNG CANCER PATIENTS: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

Backgrounds: Oral mucositis is a frequent adverse side effect of cancer chemotherapy which is associated with intense oral pain. However, it impairs the quality of life of these patients. Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has been increasingly used in recent years, mostly to accelerate wound healing and to reduce pain. In cancer patients, LLLT has been shown to reduce the incidence and severity of oral mucositis. Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of low level laser therapy in the management of chemotherapy induced oral mucositis. Patients and Methods: The study design used was a randomized clinical trial. A total of 67 cancer patients were eligible to participate in the study. Thus, they were divided randomly into two groups: group 1 irradiated with prophylactic or active laser therapy (AlGalnAs laser diode device with a wave length of 940±15nm, 0.3mW, and a probe emitting dose of 4.2 J/cm²) and group 2 received inactive or sham laser therapy (power output equal to zero). However, for the ethical purpose, once the patients developed ulcerative mucositis, they are irradiated with active laser therapy. The oral assessment was performed daily starting from the first day of the chemotherapy by applying WHO grading system. After 24 hours, the assessment of associated oral pain was carried out every two days with visual analog scale before laser application. Consequently, the associations between variables were analyzed statistically using SPSS version 20. Results: All the patients were presented with some grade of oral mucositis. In the active or prophylactic laser group, the severity of oral mucositis was lower than the inactive or therapeutic laser group. Moreover, the incidence of grade 3 and grade 4 were less observed in the active or prophylactic laser groups than the sham or therapeutic laser groups. In addition, the mean time of healing was significantly lower in the prophylactic laser group than in the therapeutic laser groups (2.05 + 1.89 versus 4.5 + 2.4 days, p&gt; 0,004). Prophylactic laser application was associated with significant reduction of oral pain in comparison with inactive or therapeutic laser therapy (1.18 + 1.09 versus 2.12 + 1.60, p&gt; 0.01). Conclusions: Prophylactic laser therapy is effective in reducing the incidence of sever oral mucositis and in alleviating associated oral pain

EVALUATION OF LOW LEVEL LASER THERAPY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CHEMOTHERAPY-INDUCED ORAL MUCOSITIS IN PEDIATRIC AND YOUNG CANCER PATIENTS: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

Backgrounds: Oral mucositis is a frequent adverse side effect of cancer chemotherapy which is associated with intense oral pain. However, it impairs the quality of life of these patients. Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has been increasingly used in recent years, mostly to accelerate wound healing and to reduce pain. In cancer patients, LLLT has been shown to reduce the incidence and severity of oral mucositis. Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of low level laser therapy in the management of chemotherapy induced oral mucositis. Patients and Methods: The study design used was a randomized clinical trial. A total of 67 cancer patients were eligible to participate in the study. Thus, they were divided randomly into two groups: group 1 irradiated with prophylactic or active laser therapy (AlGalnAs laser diode device with a wave length of 940±15nm, 0.3mW, and a probe emitting dose of 4.2 J/cm²) and group 2 received inactive or sham laser therapy (power output equal to zero). However, for the ethical purpose, once the patients developed ulcerative mucositis, they are irradiated with active laser therapy. The oral assessment was performed daily starting from the first day of the chemotherapy by applying WHO grading system. After 24 hours, the assessment of associated oral pain was carried out every two days with visual analog scale before laser application. Consequently, the associations between variables were analyzed statistically using SPSS version 20. Results: All the patients were presented with some grade of oral mucositis. In the active or prophylactic laser group, the severity of oral mucositis was lower than the inactive or therapeutic laser group. Moreover, the incidence of grade 3 and grade 4 were less observed in the active or prophylactic laser groups than the sham or therapeutic laser groups. In addition, the mean time of healing was significantly lower in the prophylactic laser group than in the therapeutic laser groups (2.05 + 1.89 versus 4.5 + 2.4 days, p&gt; 0,004). Prophylactic laser application was associated with significant reduction of oral pain in comparison with inactive or therapeutic laser therapy (1.18 + 1.09 versus 2.12 + 1.60, p&gt; 0.01). Conclusions: Prophylactic laser therapy is effective in reducing the incidence of sever oral mucositis and in alleviating associated oral pain

Instability in CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells due to elemental migration and chemical composition changes

Organic-inorganic halide perovskites have rapidly grown as favorable materials for photovoltaic applications, but accomplishing long-term stability is still a major research problem. This work demonstrates a new insight on instability and degradation factors in CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells aging with time in open air. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has been used to investigate the compositional changes caused by device degradation over the period of 1000 hrs. XPS spectra confirm the migration of metallic ions from the bottom electrode (ITO) as a key factor causing the chemical composition change in the perovskite layer besides the diffusion of oxygen. XPS results are in good agreement with the crystallographic marks. Glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (GD-OES) has also been performed on the samples to correlate the XPS results. Based on the experimental results, fundamental features that account for the instability in the perovskite solar cell is discussed. - 2017 The Author(s).The authors are thankful to the Center for Advanced Materials (CAM), Qatar University for the laboratory support during the experimental work. The authors are also grateful to the Gas Processing Center (GPC), Qatar University for providing the XPS analysis facility. Thanks to HORIBA Scientific – Jocelyne Marciano, Sofia Gaiaschi and Patrick Chapon for the GD measurements and interpretation. This publication was also made possible by NPRP grant # 6-175-2-070 from Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors.Scopu

Mechanisms of Gastroprotective Effects of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Jasminum sambac against HCl/Ethanol-Induced Gastric Mucosal Injury in Rats

Jasminum sambac is used in folk medicine as the treatment of many diseases. The aim of the present investigation is to evaluate the gastroprotective effects of ethanolic extracts of J. sambac leaves against acidified ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats. Seven groups of rats were orally pre-treated with carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) as normal group, CMC as ulcer group, 20 mg/kg of omeprazole as positive group, 62.5, 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg of extract as the experimental groups, respectively. An hour later, CMC was given orally to normal group and acidified ethanol solution was given orally to the ulcer control, positive control, and the experimental groups. The rats were sacrificed after an hour later. Acidity of gastric content, the gastric wall mucus, ulcer areas, and histology and immunohistochemistry of the gastric wall were assessed. Gastric homogenates were determined for prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), superoxide dismutase (SOD), andmalondialdehyde (MDA) content. Ulcer group exhibited significantly severe mucosal injury as compared with omeprazole or extract which shows significant protection towards gastric mucosal injury the plant promotes ulcer protection as it shows significant reduction of ulcer area grossly, and histology showed marked reduction of edema and leucocytes infiltration of submucosal layer compared with ulcer group. Immunohistochemistry showed overexpression of Hsp70 protein and downexpression of Bax protein in rats pretreated with extract. Significant increased in the pH, mucus of gastric content and high levels of PGE2, SOD and reduced amount of MDA was observed