University of Samarra

The housing sector in Iraq is facing growing demand. However, productivity challenges continue to hinder the timely and efficient delivery of residential projects. Recognising the urgent need to increase construction productivity (CP) in this sector, this study investigates critical factors that impact the performance of horizontal housing projects in Iraq. The novelty of this research lies in its focus on housing skeleton tasks, such as foundations, brickwork, and slabs, which are pivotal to project efficiency. A structured questionnaire was developed, encompassing 47 factors distributed across the planning, design, and construction phases. The survey was administered to a range of industry stakeholders, including project managers, consultants, engineers, and supervisors, and it achieved a high response rate of 79.6%. The results were analysed via a modified weighted relative importance index (RII), which incorporates respondents’ experience levels to yield a nuanced understanding of each factor’s impact. The key findings reveal that planning (RII = 0.874), team size (RII = 0.856), quantity of brickwork (RII = 0.838), supervision (RII = 0.815), and unit area (RII = 0.793) are among the most influential factors on CP. These insights provide valuable guidance for researchers and practitioners in identifying areas for strategic improvement, ultimately supporting the capacity of Iraq’s housing sector to meet escalating demands.

Self-esteem is fundamental component in psychological health and is affected with dynamics of physical exercise. This study explore the effects of selected aerobic exercise programs on self esteem and attempts to determine the most effective aerobic exercise program in boosting self-esteem. This study uses the experimental design on a sample of 120 female undergraduate students. The instruments used were the Self-Esteem Scale. Data was analyzed using inferential statistics. t-test conducted shows significant differences in self-esteem score between pretest and posttest in all modalities of aerobic exercise programs. Analysis of variance reveals that there is a significant difference (F=81.299, p<0.01) between the four modalities of aerobic exercise programs, and post hoc test shows that combination of step-dance aerobics and weight training program is most effective in increasing self esteem among female students. Results of this study contribute to developing the role of aerobic exercise in improving self esteem. It is also useful in assisting to develop policies and programs that enhance self esteem.

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health issue that is linked to a variety of anomalies in biology and hematology, resulting in increased mortalities and morbidity. Objectives Aim of this study was to estimate the vitamin D3 and calcium with other parameters in people with CKD. Materials and Methods Fifty male patients and 40 healthy men were included, and the age of the participants in this study ranged from 40 to 50 years old. Samples were collected during the period from November 2022 to December 2022. Results The result showed a significant decrease in vitamin D3 and calcium in patients group 16.99 ± 3.84 ng/mL and 6.23 ± 0.39 mg/dL, respectively, compared with healthy group 35.50 ± 5.93 ng/mL and 9.46 ± 0.58 mg/dL, respectively, a significant rise in the urea, creatinine and uric acid levels in patients 223.90 ± 46.40 mg/dL, 12.01 ± 2.01 mg/dL, and 9.34 ± 0.90 mg/dL, respectively, compared with healthy group 25 ± 5.75 mg/dL, 0.67 ± 0.22 mg/dL, and 4.72 ± 0.85 mg/dL, respectively. Conclusions Results showed reduced concentrations of vitamin D3 and calcium, and elevated in concentrations of urea, creatinine, and uric acid in patients.

The growing need to comprehend how dividend policy affects bank size, particularly in emerging markets like Jordan, makes this study relevant. Bank size, often measured by total assets, is a key indicator of financial strength and stability. This study aims to examine the relationship between various measures of dividend policy – dividend per share, dividend yield, and dividend per share to earnings per share ratio – and bank size in Jordanian banks, using earnings per share as a control variable.The study employs ordinary least squares regression analysis to investigate the relationship between these variables over a sample of Jordanian banks. Three regression models were constructed to evaluate the impact of each dividend measure on bank size. The results indicate a significant positive relationship between dividend per share and bank size, and between the dividends per share to earnings per share ratio and bank size. The results show that approximately 43.9% of the variance in bank size is explained by the Dividends per share and Earnings per share, and a significant positive correlation is observed between total assets (bank size) and dividend per share, with a coefficient of 53%. Dividend yield, however, showed no significant impact on bank size.The results support that Jordanian banks with a sound dividend policy on dividend per share and its continuity with earnings exhibit higher asset growth. In this respect, bank growth appears to be highly dependent on a prudent dividend policy even from an emerging markets perspective.

This paper describes an attempt to increase the sterilising efficacy of sodium hypochlorite (SH) by prolonging its shelf life in gel mode through the presence of wormlike micelles. No effect was observed on the presence of SH on the ratio of highest viscosity peak of 20:80 of 3 % (w/w) sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). On the other side, the presence of SH has a relatively negative effect on transformation process from spherical (three-dimensional, 3D) micelles to wormlike (one-dimensional , 1D) micelles. The gel state of the aqueous SH solution is maintained even at a ratio of 20:80 SDS:CTAB 3 % (w/w). Measurements of the biological activity of the gel using Staphylococcus aureus bacteria show that the sterilizing efficiency of SH is enhanced by the presence of 1D micelles. In contrast, the stability of SH using the kinetic method shows a sudden decrease in its stability due to the presence of 1D micelles, and the same is the case when both SDS and CTAB micelles are present. It was concluded that the increase in the biological activity of SH due to presence of micelles in gel or liquid mode resulted from their chemical interference, which acts as an antibacterial formulation.

Glassy carbon electrodes were modified with a CeO 2 film and Pt nanoparticles (Pt-CeO 2 ) for electrocatalysis. Interestingly, the oxidation of benzyl alcohol was significantly enhanced when Pt-CeO 2 films were prepared by the simultaneous electrodeposition of the two materials, indicating a significant synergistic electrocatalytic activity. Subsequently, bipolar electrochemistry was employed to prepare Pt-CeO 2 gradient films. Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) was employed for studying local electrochemical properties at liquid/solid interfaces. SECM allowed mapping the local electrochemical performance of the Pt-CeO 2 gradient films for benzyl alcohol oxidation, showing that the reaction rate is proportional to the local Pt-CeO 2 surface coverage. Therefore, Pt-CeO 2 deposits with different densities along the bipolar electrode offer tunable catalytic performances for benzyl alcohol oxidation. This allows identifying in a fast and straightforward way the optimal conditions for electrocatalytic processes in a more general sense because the approach, illustrated here with one specific reaction, can be easily generalized to other catalytically-active surfaces.

With the exploding number of IoT devices generating vast data volumes, there is a growing risk of significant performance degradation without efficient congestion management. To tackle this challenge, efficient regulation and supervision are essential for managing congestion in IoT networks. This research work introduces a One-Way-Delay (OWD)-based congestion control (CC) method that estimates data transmission delays of the communication path and adjusts network traffic accordingly. The proposed method enhances IoT device performance by continuously monitoring OWD along the transmission path to identify and mitigate congestion. Comparative analysis with existing methods demonstrates that the proposed approach more effectively utilizes network resources, reduces congestion, and improves throughput while ensuring fairness and reliability within the IoT infrastructure. The experimental simulations show that the proposed OWD-based method outperforms well-established TCP variants such as BBR, TCP Cubic, HTCP, and New Reno, achieving average throughput improvements ranging from 4.1 % to 22.7 %. The proposed method also maintains fairness in mixed-traffic environments and effectively manages congestion in complex network topologies.

In this study, we developed a novel, sensitive, and rapid method for determining doxycycline in its pharmaceutical formulation using the ion-pairing technique. This method is based on the interaction between doxycycline and a Schiff base, which is synthesized via a microwave-assisted condensation reaction of p-aminophenol with p-N, N-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde. The resulting Schiff base reacts with doxycycline to form a complex that exhibits maximum absorption at a wavelength of 446 nm, in contrast to the blank, which shows a peak at 374 nm. The determination of doxycycline is carried out by allowing the reaction to proceed at room temperature for 10 min, followed by dilution with ethanol and measurement of absorbance at 446 nm. The method follows Beer’s law within the concentration range of 10–17 µg/mL and demonstrates high accuracy, as evidenced by the recovery rate and relative standard deviation. This method was successfully applied to the analysis of doxycycline in its pharmaceutical preparation, specifically doxycycline 100 mg capsules.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) marked by persistent inflammation of the mucosal lining of the large intestine, leading to debilitating symptoms and reduced quality of life. Emerging evidence suggests that an imbalance of the gut microbiota plays a crucial role in UC pathogenesis, and various signaling pathways are implicated in the dysregulated immune response. Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer health benefits to the host, have attracted significant attention for their potential to restore gut microbial balance and ameliorate inflammation in UC. Recent studies have elucidated the mechanisms by which probiotics modulate these signaling pathways, often by producing anti-inflammatory molecules and promoting regulatory immune cell function. For example, probiotics can inhibit the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway by stabilizing Inhibitor of kappa B alpha (IκBα), dampening the production of proinflammatory cytokines. Similarly, probiotics can modulate the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway, suppressing the activation of STAT1 and STAT3 and thus reducing the inflammatory response. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of probiotics in modulating pathogenic signaling pathways in UC will pave the way for developing more effective probiotic-based therapies. In this review, we explore the mechanistic role of probiotics in the attenuation of pathogenic signaling pathways, including NF-κB, JAK/STAT, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), Wnt/β-catenin, the nucleotide-binding domain (NOD)-, leucine-rich repeat (LRR)- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, Toll-like receptors (TLRs), interleukin-23 (IL-23)/IL-17 signaling pathway in UC.

This work includes the synthesis of MWCNTs–CoNiFerrite composites in two methods, direct method and indirect method; however, in both cases, ultrasound was used as an environmentally friendly method. These composites were characterized using XRD, SEM, and TEM to verify the compositional effects of both methods, which would have effects on hydrogen storage capacity. The XRD measurements showed that, in both cases, cobalt–nickel ferrite was formed on the carbon nanotubes. Furthermore, the SEM and TEM measurements proved that the composition of the resulting materials was different in shape and size. The prepared composites were used as new materials for hydrogen storage in the solid state, using two different temperatures, 298 and 77 K, at a pressure ranging from 0 to 900 mmHg. The results showed that the H2 storage results reached 1.65 and 1.12 wt% at 77 K for both direct and indirect synthesized MWCNTs–CoNiFe2O4, respectively, which indicates the importance of the preparation method in the ability to store gases. Graphical Abstract

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a well-known regulator of cholesterol metabolism and cardiovascular diseases, has recently garnered attention for its emerging involvement in cancer biology. The multifunctional nature of PCSK9 extends beyond lipid regulation and encompasses a wide range of cellular processes that can influence cancer progression. Studies have revealed that PCSK9 can modulate signaling pathways, such as PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and Wnt/β-catenin, thereby influencing cellular proliferation, survival, and angiogenesis. Additionally, the interplay between PCSK9 and cholesterol homeostasis may impact membrane dynamics and cellular migration, further influencing tumor aggressiveness. The central role of the immune system in monitoring and controlling cancer is increasingly recognized. Recent research has demonstrated the ability of PCSK9 to modulate immune responses through interactions with immune cells and components of the tumor microenvironment. This includes effects on dendritic cell maturation, T cell activation, and cytokine production, suggesting a role in shaping antitumor immune responses. Moreover, the potential influence of PCSK9 on immune checkpoints such as PD1/PD-L1 lends an additional layer of complexity to its immunomodulatory functions. The growing interest in cancer immunotherapy has prompted exploration into the potential of targeting PCSK9 for therapeutic benefits. Preclinical studies have demonstrated synergistic effects between PCSK9 inhibitors and established immunotherapies, offering a novel avenue for combination treatments. The strategic manipulation of PCSK9 to enhance tumor immunity and improve therapeutic outcomes presents an exciting area for further investigations. Understanding the mechanisms by which PCSK9 influences cancer biology and immunity holds promise for the development of novel immunotherapeutic approaches. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the intricate connections between PCSK9, cancer pathogenesis, tumor immunity, and the potential implications for immunotherapeutic interventions.

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a biodegradable aliphatic polyester of significant interest. Owing to its traits, PLA stands out as one of the most widely used polymers in various fields. Nevertheless, environmental conditions, such as heat, UV light, and humidity have negative impacts on the polymer's performance as a result of the accelerating aging process. In this study, we present a novel acceptor–donor (AD) Schiff base molecule that demonstrates significant UV stabilization when incorporated into the polymer's matrix. The stabilization effect of the AD molecule was studied by using the weight loss method and tracking the functional group indices of CO (I CO ) and OH (I OH ) that emerge because of polymer degradation after irradiation with UV light for 300 h. The films' structures were studied by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), and energy‐dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) to evaluate the stabilization enhancement of AD moiety. The results exhibit a significant decrease in weight loss for blended PLA, in contrast to blank PLA. The weight loss percentage reduced from 2.5 for blank PLA to less than 0.7 for blended PLA. Furthermore, I CO and I OH indices witness a remarkable reduction which verifies the improved photodegradation resulting from AD moiety. The suggested method involves the efficient absorption of UV radiation produced during photo‐degradation by the AD molecule, which then emits this light as visible blue light without causing any damage to PLA film's chemical structure. Our results demonstrate the adaptability of AD molecules as PLA photo‐stabilizers and point to their wider significance for sustainable material applications. This work advances the stability of PLA films and provides opportunities for the creation of novel stabilization techniques based on organic electrical principles. Future studies may examine the multipurpose uses of the AD molecule in sensor materials and other contexts. Highlights Presenting a novel acceptor–donor Schiff base as a phot stabilizer of PLA. Using the weight loss method and tracking the functional group indices to test the degradation. A significant decrease in weight loss for blended PLA, in contrast to blank PLA. The Schiff base absorbing UV light, excited electrons from ground state to excited state. They return to the ground state and produce bright blue light. These movement of electrons cause no damage to the PLA polymer chains.

Over the past 20 years, there has been a notable rise in the incidence of invasive bacterial infections. This increase has been mostly linked to the growth of drug‐resistant bacteria. Tetrazoles have been considered as promising antibacterial agents and their effectiveness may be enhanced by hybridization with other antibacterial pharmacophores. In this work, a series of tetrazole hybrids (1‐6) containing oxazepane and pyrazole rings as well as Mannich bases (7,8) were synthesized via the Schiff and Mannich reactions, respectively. The compositions were proven spectroscopically using infrared spectra, proton (¹H) and carbon‐13 (¹³C) nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and elemental analyses. Moreover, the pharmacokinetic properties viz Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Excretion (ADME) were predicted in silico using SwissADME server. Compounds 1,2 and 4–6 attaining the best drug‐likeness properties were screened for their antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Streptococcus mutans at different concentrations in comparison with tetracycline and amikacin, respectively. Afterwards, a molecular docking study was performed to explore the potential binding patterns of the new antibacterial compounds. Collectively, the tetrazole hybrids 4 and 5 have been found to have higher inhibitory potencies compared to tetracycline, serving them as potential antibacterial candidates which can be further optimized in the future.

This research investigates sustainable solid waste management practices at the State Company for the Manufacture of Medicines and Medical Supplies in Samarra. Using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) ver. 23, key variables such as education, participation, implementation, and policy were analysed to assess their impact on environmental balance. A sample of 62 staff members was surveyed from a population of 785, ensuring reliability and representative insights. The study revealed high internal consistency and validity for the analysed variables. Sustainable management dimensions were thoroughly explored, and the average score for sustainable management was found to be 3.102, indicating a strong level of agreement among participants regarding these dimensions. Specific hypotheses related to education, participation, implementation, and policy were confirmed through robust statistical analyses. Variation analysis revealed statistically significant differences in sustainable management dimensions and their impact on environmental balance. Regression analysis demonstrated relationships between participation, implementation, policy, and environmental balance, with R2 (coefficient of determination) values indicating the explanatory power of these relationships. The results underscore the critical role of education, participation, implementation, and policy in achieving environmental balance within the context of sustainable waste management practices. This study contributes valuable insights into effective strategies for promoting environmental sustainability in waste management initiatives, emphasising the importance of targeted interventions in education, participatory engagement, implementation strategies, and policy frameworks.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small cationic or amphipathic molecules that are produced by both prokaryotic and eukaryotic species. The latest findings in the field of dermatology point to the potential significance of AMPs in the battle against skin microbial infections. AMPs additionally function as multifunctional immune effectors, promoting angiogenesis, wound healing, and the production of cytokines and chemokines. In human skin, AMPs such as β-defensin, S100, and cathelicidin are primarily secreted by keratinocytes, neutrophils, sebocytes, or sweat glands. These substances are either produced continuously or expressed in reaction to certain inflammatory stimuli, thus playing a role in the development of various skin diseases in humans. Furthermore, in contrast to other human skin conditions, the level of AMP synthesis decreases as the disease progresses. In this review, we provide data supporting the role of AMPs as natural mediators of dermatological problems, as well as their potential for being used as therapeutic agents in the treatment of skin diseases.

Surface engineering entails altering a component’s surface qualities independently of the underlying substrate material attributes. Improvements in appearance, tactile qualities, optical properties, wettability, corrosion resistance, or (the emphasis of this chapter) tribological properties are all possible. Surface technology in tribological applications serves two purposes: increasing a component’s wear or damage resistance and changing its frictional properties.