Proton and Neutron Pairing Properties within a mixed volume-surface pairing force using SKI3-HFB Theory

This work aims at a systematic investigations of the pairing properties and Fermi properties from the proton drip-line to the neutron drip-line. In order to provide more accurate mass formula with skyrme SKI3 force, the global descriptive power of the SKI3-HFB model for pairing properties are made in this study. Systematic Skyrme SKI3-Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov calculations with a mixed volume-surface pairing force are carried out to study the ground-state neutron and proton pairing gap, neutron and proton pairing energy and neutron and proton Fermi energy for about 2095 even-even nuclei ranging from $2\le{Z}\le110$ to $2\le{N}\le236$. The calculated results of neutron and proton pairing gap are compared with experimental data using the difference-point formulas $\Delta^{(3)}, \Delta^{(4)}$ and $\Delta^{(5)}$, and also compared with the neutron and proton pairing gap of Lipkin-Nogami model. It is shown that the Skyrme-SKI3 functional with the mixed volume-surface pairing force can be successfully used for describing the ground-state pairing and Fermi properties of the investigated nuclei, in particularly the neutron-rich nuclei and the exotic nuclei near the neutron drip-line. On the other hand, the calculated neutron and proton pairing gap are in good agreement with the available experimental values of the neutron and proton pairing gap of the difference-point formulas $\Delta^{(3)}, \Delta^{(4)}$ and $\Delta^{(5)}$ and with the data of Lipkin-Nogami model over the whole nuclear chart.Comment: 18 pages, 9 figure

First Record of the Heart Sea Urchins Metalia persica (Coppard, 2008) from the Coral Reef Region, Marine Waters of Iraq

In the present article we report a first record of the heart sea urchin Metalia persica (Coppard, 2008) from the recently discovered coral reef in the coastal waters of Iraq. Four specimens of this echinoid were collected by diving during June 2014 and June 2015. This work is a part of larger programme on the identification and some other interesting observations of the macrobenthos living in the coral reef region of Iraq. Keywords: Sea urchin, Metalia persica, coral reef, Iraq, first record

Outcomes of Subtrochanteric Fractures; A Prospective Study Focusing on the Comparison of Open and Closed Surgical Technique

Objective: To review the outcome of surgery by looking at function, deformity and pain according to Harris Hip Score comparing two surgical procedures i.e. open technique and closed technique using relatively recently developed implants. Methodology: This comparative prospective study was conducted in the department of orthopaedic surgery PIMS Islamabad, from June 2013 to May 2015. By using purposive sampling patients aged 20-50 years with closed subtrochanteric fractures of less than 2 weeks duration were included in the study. The patients with open fractures, pathological fractures, multiple fractures/ poly trauma, and old and neglected fractures of more than 2 weeks were excluded. All included cases of subtrochanteric fractures were managed by either closed technique, using Proximal Femur nail (PFN) or open technique using a Proximal Femur anatomical locking plate (PFP). This comparative study was planned to determine union rates, complications & functional outcome of fixation of subtrochanteric fractures.  Descriptive analysis was done using SPSS version 20. Chi-square test was applied for comparing qualitative variables.Results: A total of 100 cases were included in the study with the mean age was 38.5 ± 8.6 years in the open technique group () while 34.6 ± 1.2 years in closed technique (). There are 72 males and 28 females.  Union occurred 84% in open technique and 96% in closed technique.  In open technique group mean Harris hip score was 68.9 ±5.4 compared to 72.4 ± 6.2 in the closed technique group (p-value <0.001). In open technique group 6 (12.0%) cases had delayed union and 2 (4.0%) had non-union compared to 3 (6.0%) cases and 1 (2.0%) cases in closed technique group respectively.Conclusion: Outcome favours closed technique compared to open technique for subtrochanteric fractures fixation, when assessed on Harris hip Score. There was no statistically significant difference in the fracture union and frequency of complications between the two groups

Arteriovenous malformations of the corpus callosum: Pooled analysis and systematic review of literature

BACKGROUND: Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the corpus callosum (CC) are rare entities. We performed a systematic review of the available literature to better define the natural history, patient characteristics, and treatment options for these lesions. METHODS: A MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and The Cochrane Library search were performed for studies published through June 2015. Data from all eligible studies were used to examine epidemiology, natural history, clinical features, treatment strategies, and outcomes of patients with CC-AVMs. A systematic review and pooled analysis of the literature were performed. RESULTS: Our search yielded 37 reports and 230 patients. Mean age at presentation was 26.8 years (±13.12 years). AVMs were most commonly located in the splenium (43%), followed by the body (31%), and then the genu (23%) of the CC. A Spetzler-Martin grade of III was the most common (37%). One hundred eighty-seven (81.3%) patients presented with hemorrhage, 91 (40%) underwent microsurgical excision, and 87 (38%) underwent endovascular embolization. Radiosurgery was performed on 57 (25%) patients. Complete obliteration of the AVM was achieved in 102 (48.1%) patients and approximately twice as often when microsurgery was performed alone or in combination with other treatment modalities (94% vs. 49%; P \u3c 0.001). Mean modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at presentation was 1.54 and mean mRS at last follow-up was 1.31. This difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.35). CONCLUSION: We present an analysis of the pooled data in the form of a systematic review focusing on management of CC-AVMs. This review aims to provide a valuable tool to aid in decision making when dealing with this particular subtype of AVM

Five Bivalve Species from the Recently Discovered Coral Reef in the Marine Coastal Waters of Iraq

In the present report five bivalve species are newly recorded from the recently discovered coral reef in the coastal waters of Iraq, North West Arabian Gulf. The bivalves were inhabit a hard coral substratum as well as sand and mud substrata, at depth ranging from 7-10 m. The region is characterized by high temperature subtropical climate (temperature range: 14-34 C˚). The identified mulluscan bivalves namely Chlamys livida, Pinna bicolor, Malvifundus normalis, Barbatia decussate, and Lithophaga robusta. All the present specimens bivalves were living animals and they classified according to morphological characteristics. Specimens were deposited at the Genetic Legacy Laboratory and Museum of the Marine Science Center/ University of Basrah

Spectrophotometric flow injection method for the determination of Bendiocarb insecticide in water samples using chromogenic reagent 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine

Objective: Bendiocarb (BEN) is an acutely toxic carbamate insecticide which is used in public places and agriculture. The present study describes a new, sensitive, and accurate flow injection analysis method for the determination of BEN in its pesticide formulations and water samples.Methods: The developed method is based on an alkaline hydrolysis of BEN in NaOH, and the resultant product was coupled with 2,4-dinitrophenylhdrazin in the presence of sodium periodate to form red-colored product which measured at 515 nm.Results: Under the optimum conditions established (sample volume 150 μL, flow rate 2 mL/min, with 75 cm reaction coil length) for spectrophotometric determination of Bendiocarb. Beer's law is obeyed in the range of 1–150 μg/mL with a detection limit of 0.738 μg/mL, with average recovery of 100.737 and relative standard deviation % of 1.331%.Conclusion: The established method was successfully applied for the determination of BEN in pesticide formulation and real spiked water sample

Protein-Based Biostimulants to Enhance Plant Growth-State-of-the-Art and Future Direction with Sugar Beet as an Example

Protein-based biostimulants (PBBs) are derived from the hydrolysis of protein-rich raw materials of plant and/or animal origins, usually by-products or wastes from agro-industries. The active ingredients (AIs) produced by hydrolysis have the capacity to influence physiological and metabolic processes in plants, leading to enhanced growth, nutrient and water-use efficiency, tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses, and improved crop yield and quality. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art and future opportunities for use of PBBs, based on potential effects on the soil, crops, and sustainability (social, economic, environmental). In this case, two examples of PBBs (hydrolyzed wheat gluten and potato protein) and their effects on the early growth of three sugar beet varieties are described and discussed. Both PBBs have a significant stimulating effect on early sugar beet growth and development. The opportunity to develop PBBs into superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) is discussed. To conclude, PBBs/SAPs developed from agro-industrial wastes have the potential for sustainably supplying water and nutrients in agricultural systems and for enhancing plant growth and development over a substantial period

Image Encryption using Resilient Boolean Function and DCT

The information security is becoming more important in data storage and transmission, where images are widely used in it. The Stream cipher cryptosystems are extensively used for provide a reliable and efficient method of security. The new propose system image encryption investigated by encrypt the powerful frequency coefficients in DCT by used saturated best resilient Boolean function that constructed by Zhang's constructions that implement Maiorana-McFarland like constructions technique and its modifications. The simulation results of the proposal system calculate correlation test (Corr1) and PSNR1 to compare between original and encrypted image as parameter of robustness, and correlation test (Corr2) and PSNR2 as correlation parameter between original and decrypted image as parameter of quality in reconstruct image

Diversified Traditional Wooden Implements Used in Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Practices in Ladakh

The traditional wooden tools are the necessities of the daily life of the people of Ladakh region and are linked directly with geographical conditions of the region. A lot of diversity in the wooden tools used by the tribal farmers of Ladakh since ancient times is observed. The tools are made up of different, locally available materials in a unique fashion by the localites. These wooden implements are preferred over modern one’s because of their multipurpose uses. Secondly these traditional implements find wide applicability in the region because of steep terrain, where the scope of mechanized farm implements is very limited. In the present study few important traditional tools of Ladakh have been presented. The important tools viz; chepo, shak, zungba, rzgeem, saddle, khem, khaczhay, thougk, gourgur, butter churner, plough, smeing, rbhat, grookook etc. have been described in detail in this paper