Depletive Water Balance and High Vulnerability Due to Conflicts over Access and Rights

Sustainable water supply problem becomes strategic when inelastic demand levels are overhauling maximum available supplies. The situation is more acute when the groundwater recharge area is heavily populated, consist of urban, industrial and agricultural areas and above all have typical karstic morphology and extensive regions of thin or null soil cover. During winter season the infiltrated water mixed with the wastewater leaking from poorly designed cesspits and wastewater overflow from the treatment plants of the adjacent settlements. Currently, most of the recharge area is disturbed due to the ongoing urban development in Beitar Elite and Tzur Hadassah in conjunction with the planned Security Fence (apartheid wall) threatens to extend over ~70% of the aquifer recharge area. Such massive destruction in a small watershed leads to considerable decrease in springs discharge and could completely dry-out the springs at the upper part of the valley. The aim of this research is to improve understanding of the hydrologic processes controlling water quantity and quality of springs discharging small (<1E6 m3/yr) basin in the mountain aquifer.We gratefully acknowledge the financial and logistic support provided by Qumran Eco consulting and for SMART project at KIT University which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Special regards to the staff of Soil Hydrology Lab at AQU for their support. Special thanks also go to the reviewers for their efforts for improving and finalizing the outcome manuscript

Handwritten Arabic Digit Recognition Using Convolutional Neural Network

In Computer vision systems, computer vision works by imitating humans in their vision way which is known as the human vision system (HVS). In HVS, humans use their eyes and brains in order to see and classify any object around them. Hence, computer vision systems imitate HSV by developing several algorithms for classifying images and objects. The main goal of this paper is to propose a model for identifying and classifying the Arabic handwritten digits with high accuracy.  The concept of deep learning via the convolutional neural network (CNN) with the ADBase database is used to achieve the goal. The training is done by having a 3*3 and 5*5 filters. Basically, while the classification phase distinct learning rates are used to train the network. The obtained results are encouraging and promising

Image Formation Free Rotation in Triple Pole-Piece Magnetic Lenses

Present work is mainly concern with the mathematical function, considered to represent the axial magnetic flux density distributions of proposed triple pole-pieces magnetic lenses which is used as rotation free lenses. This function has, in fact, three-optimization parameters. The only important parameter is the bore radius of the lens in the proposed model. This parameter can be affect on the projector properties of the lens, when the other two optimization parameters (maximum value of flux density and lens length) are constants, where the literature survey proved that unaffected on the lens properties. Results have clearly shown that the optimization parameter for current function, have a considerable effect on the lens distortion, lens magnification, and the reconstructed pole-pieces. Furthermore, the results obviously show the excellent ability for converting the form of the chosen mathematical function in order to represent the magnetic field of triple pole-pieces lenses. Keywords: Electron Optics, Projector Lens, Distortion, Magnificatio

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Under Nutrition Among Under-Five Children in Babylon Province, Iraq,2016

خلفية البحث:يعتبر نقص التغذية من المشكلات التي لها الأولوية في حقل الصحة العامة خاصة في الدول المحدودة او المتوسطة الدخل ومنها العراق , ان نقص التغذية سبب رئيسي للمرض والموت في الأطفال. هدف البحث:تحديد انتشار نقص التغذية والعوامل المرتبطة بها بين الأطفال تحت عمر خمس سنوات. طرائق العمل :تم تطبيق دراسة المقطع العرضي ل1000طفل تحت سن الخامسة من العمرمن المراجعين لعشرة مراكز رعاية صحية أولية&nbsp; اختيرت عشوائيا من مجموع المراكز الصحية الأولية في مدينة الحلة- محافظة بابل- العراق. امتدت الدراسة من تشرين الأول 2015 إلى أب&nbsp; 2016, جمعت البيانات من خلال ورقة استبانة علمية استخدمت لاستجواب الأمهات المشاركات ,تضمنت الاستبانة معلومات ديموغرافية ومعلومات عن أنماط الرضاعة وعمر الفطام للطفل وطريقة الولادة ومدة الحمل . تم قياس وزن الطفل وطوله بالطريقة القياسية حسب دليل منظمة الصحة العالمية لتحديد نقص التغذية , الوزن للعمر (نقص الوزن),الطول للعمر(التقزيم), والوزن للطول ( الهزال). تم التحليل الإحصائي لربط بين المتغيرات المعتمدة والمتغيرات المستقلة. النتائج&nbsp; :أظهرت الدراسة ان نسب انتشار الوزن للعمر (نقص الوزن),الطول للعمر(التقزيم), والوزن للطول ( الهزال).هي 7,6% و20,6%و6,6%على التوالي وأوضحت الدراسة وجود علاقة إحصائية ذات دلالة إحصائية معنوية P&lt;0.05)) بين مؤشرات نقص التغذية المذكورة والمتغيرات المستقلة الأتية: كانخفاض مستوى التحصيل الدراسي للأمهات والرضاعة المختلطة&nbsp; وجنس الطفل حيث تأثر الذكور بنقص الوزن اكثر من الإناث وكان الأطفال الذين هم بعمر 24-36 شهرهم الأكثر تعرضا لنقص التغذية من الفئات العمرية الأخرى وبدلالة إحصائية&nbsp; مهمة. الاستنتاج:نقص التغذية بين الأطفال دون الخامسة&nbsp; في مدينة الحلة&nbsp; لا يزال مقلقا في الوقت الحاضر ويحتاج الى تدخل منهجي للحد منه والسيطرة عليه.Background:Malnutrition&nbsp; in children&nbsp; under five years of age&nbsp; is&nbsp; high priority&nbsp; public health problems especially in middle and low income countries including Iraq, it is +associated with high morbidity and mortality among infants and young children Objectives:To identify the prevalence and the correlates of under nutrition (underweight, stunting and wasting) among children under 5 years of age living in Babylon province, Iraq. Methodology:A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted, to collect primary information from&nbsp; mothers&nbsp; of1000 children attending&nbsp; ten&nbsp;&nbsp; randomly selected primary health care centers (five rural and five urban centers) in Babylon province during the period from&nbsp; January through June 2016 ,a scientific questionnaire, anthropometric measurements&nbsp;&nbsp; (weight for age, length/height for age and weight for height), were used&nbsp; to assess the nutritional status of the child . Results: The&nbsp; study revealed that the prevalence of underweight , stunting and&nbsp; wasting were 7.6%, , 20.6%, and 6.6% respectively . Significant statistical&nbsp; associations were found between all types of under nutrition and the following independent variables p&lt;0.05 ; age,( gender&nbsp; , more common in boys ), low level of mother education , types of&nbsp; breast feeding and family income. Conclusion:The study concluded that chronic malnutrition in the study area is still a&nbsp; concern that needs timely intervention by governmental and non-governmental organizations. We conclude that improvements in child feeding, and better maternal education are needed to maintain the children's nutritional status

Spectroscopy Characterization of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Degradation by Different Kinds of Accelerated Aging

يقدم البحث رؤية حول التشوه الحاصل في التركيب الكيمياوي للبوليمر المشترك المتحلل &nbsp;اثلين فنيل الخلات EVA وذلك بحسب تغير نسبة قيم ثوابت المعدل المستحصلة من منحنيات الحركية الطيفية للعينات المتحللة. اذ تم تحديد &nbsp;تضبيط رسم منحنيات الحركية الطيفية للفلورة ولمجالين مميزين من الاطوال الموجية لشدات الفلورة. حيث أظهرت الاطوال الموجية القصيرة (320-400 nm) تداخلا في الاطياف, بينما عند الاطوال الموجية الطويلة (400-800 nm) بدت الاطياف منتظمة وحسب أزمنة التعتيق المعجل. أن النسبة لثابت معدل سرعة التفاعل&nbsp; عند الاطوال الموجية الطويلة الى ثابت معدل سرعة التفاعل للاطوال الموجية القصيرة هو المعيار لدرجة التشوه في البنية الكيمياوية. حيث يعتمد المعامل المولاري الخارجي على البنية الكيمياوية. من خلال قياس الامتصاصية, تم تصنيف نماذج EVA الى مجموعتين. اذ ان وجود اضافات Cyasorb هي النقطة الرئيسية في التصنيف. تم دراسة تأثير الأنواع المختلفة للتعتيق المعجل وهي, تسخين جاف عند 115 ℃و تسخين رطب عند رطوبة نسبية مقدارها 85% ودرجة حرارة 85 ℃ وتعتيق التشعيع بالاشعة فوق البنفسجية عند درجة حرارة 65 ℃ وعند ازمنة تعتيق مختلفة لكل مجموعة. وقد تم مناقشة نتائج اطياف الامتصاص والفلورة للعينات. اجمالا, فان اضافة Cyasorb تسبب تشوه اعلى في التركيب الكيمياوي عند تحلل. EVA &nbsp;أن العامل الاكثر تأثيرا هو التعتيق الرطب بينما الاقل يحصل بواسطة التشعيع بالاشعة فوق البنفسجية. بينما تغير التركيب الكيمياوي الاكبر يحدث للعينة الخالية من اضافة Cyasorb , حيث ينتج من التعتيق الرطب أما التغير الاقل فينتج بواسطة التسخين الجاف.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This paper presents a sight about the chemical structure deformation of poly (ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) samples according to the change ratio of rate constant values. Spectroscopy kinetics fluorescence curves are fitted for two characteristic wavelength domains of fluorescent intensities. The short wavelengths (320-400 nm) domain show spectra overlapping, while at long wavelengths (400-800 nm) domain spectra are arranged in regular for each specific accelerated aging time. The ratio of kinetics rate constant at long wavelengths to kinetics rate constant of short wavelengths is the criterion of the degree chemical structure deformation. Molar extrinsic coefficient relies on the chemical structure change. Through absorbance measurement, EVA samples have been classified into two groups. Presence of Cyasorb additive is the key point of the ranking. The effect of three different accelerated aging of dry (115 oC), damp (85% moisture, 85 oC), and irradiated (UV, 65 oC) aging have been considered for two samples of each group over different aging time. Spectroscopy of absorbance and fluorescent for aged samples have been discussed. In general, Cyasorb adding causes higher chemical structure deformation for the EVA sample. The most effective factor is the damp aging and the less one is the UV irradiation aging, while the biggest chemical structure change of Cyasorb-free sample is produced by damp aging and the less by dry heat.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp

IL-17 level in patients with acute myocardial infarction and its effect on lipid profile

Myocardial infarction (MI) is considered as the major cause of death and disability worldwide, and despite considerable advances in diagnosis and treatment, continues to be a major public health problem. Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is leukocyte-derived cytokine with effects especially on epithelial cells in various tissues. This study designed to investigate the level of IL-17 and its effect on lipid profile in patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction. The study included 50 patients with acute myocardial infarction forty healthy subjects as control group. The levels of IL-17 were significantly elevated in all patients groups (p < 0.001), total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL were significantly elevated (p < 0.001) in all patients as well.  There was positive correlation between IL-17 with HDL, while there was negative correlation with total cholesterol and LDL. The results show significant increase in levels of IL-17, in acute myocardial infarction patients. IL-17 positively correlated with HDL and negatively correlated with total cholesterol and LDL, which lead to consider it as cardio protective factor

Aerodynamic design and performance investigation of an axial turbocharger turbine for automotive application

In recent years, developments of vehicle downsizing promote the developers to improve the performance of current turbocharging technology. Due to drawbacks transient response of conventional radial turbine used in turbocharging techniques, preliminary design of axial turbine was proposed, in order to achieve highest performance of turbocharger axial turbine. In this study, the optimal design methodology, based NACA profile blade of a single stage axial turbine for turbocharger system. Therefore, simulation analysis of steady state three dimensional flow carried out by highly reliable for calculation, computational fluid dynamic (CFD), using ANSYS CFX, to be evaluated the stage overall aerodynamic performance of the axial turbine stage. Analysis results, gave a more details of flow behaviour such as, flow separation, vortexes and performance characteristics. Moreover, it is found the pressure load for less blades, it's too low on each blade, and a reasonable pressure blade load on a single blade was therefore seen to be too high for more blades, resulting in loss of Boundary layer of the blade, flow of tip leakage and Secondary flow. Hence, noticeably, it was observed that the aerodynamic performance of turbocharger axial turbine model were predicted numerically such as, total-total Polytropic efficiency (84.64) % and shaft output power (187) kW at (80k) rpm

A miniature fractal-based dual-mode dual-band microstrip bandpass filter design

In this paper, a fractal-based complementary split-ring resonator (CSRR) has been introduced as a defected ground structure (DGS) in the ground plane of a dual-mode microstrip bandpass filter to produce a new compact filter with dual-band response. The conventional double square ring resonator structure is modified such that its inner ring is made with a fractal shape instead of a square. Measured and simulation results show that the resulting filter offers a dual passband response; the higher passband is attributed to the dual-mode microstrip ring structure, whereas the lower passband is as a result of the embedded CSRR DGS structure. In addition, the results show that the position of the lower passband could be varied, to a certain extent, without affecting the position of the higher passband by applying higher fractal iteration levels to the inner split ring. These features, together with the compact size the proposed filter offers, make it suitable for use in a wide variety of dual-band communication applications. Measured results, carried out on filter prototypes, have been found in agreement with those theoretically predicted

Competencies And Work Performance Of Public Sector Auditors In Iraq: The Case Of Federal Board Of Supreme Audit

The role of internal auditors is of high importance in the developing countries’ public sector as it involves providing independent and objective assurance and consultancy that can add value to public sector organizations. However, increased fraudulent and corruption activities within public sector organizations, particularly in developing countries such as Iraq, have elevated doubts regarding the effectiveness of the audit function. The Federal Board of Supreme Audit (FBSA) is Iraq’s leading authority to monitor the public sector institutions’ transparency, and conduct audits to evaluate the establishment and effectiveness of corporate governance within public sector organizations. Of late, the FBSA has faced challenges in terms of internal auditors’ performance which results in low confidence and trust of the public. The increased cases of fraud and corruption in the public sector of Iraq demand enhancement of FBSA internal auditors’ performance. Therefore, the key objective of the study is to examine the relationship between key influential internal auditors’ competencies, such as knowledge, effective internal communication, task self-efficacy, and computer self-efficacy, and internal auditors’ performance, such as task performance, contextual performance, and adaptive performance of internal auditors working in the FBSA, Iraq. The model of the study is underpinned by the social cognitive theory. The study also examined the moderating role of proactive personality on the relationship between internal auditors’ competencies and their performance