Urban land uses of all kinds are the constituent elements of the urban spatial structure. Because of the influence of economic and social factors, cities in general are characterized by the dynamic state of their elements over time. Urban functions occur in a certain way with different spatial patterns. Hence, urban planners and the relevant urban management teams should understand the future spatial pattern of these changes by resorting to quantitative models in spatial planning. This is to ensure that future predictions are made with a high level of accuracy so that appropriate strategies can be used to address the problems arising from such changes. The Markov chain method is one of the quantitative models used in spatial planning to analyze time series based on current values to predict the series values in the future without relying on the past or historical values of the studied series. The research questions in this study are formulated thus: What are the trends in the patterns of urban land use functions in Al-Najaf, Iraq, between 2005 to 2015? How can the values of the changes be predicted for the year 2025? The hypothesis is based on the increasing spatial functional change of land use patterns in the city during the study period due to various economic and social factors. Making accurate predictions of the size of spatial changes motivates this study as a guide to urban management towards developing possible solutions to address the effects of this change, as well as the need to understand its causes and future upward trends. The contribution of this article is the presented outlook for spatial functions for the next 10 years. The computations using the Markov chain model will enable management to understand future relations and develop appropriate policies to reduce the hazards of unplanned changes in the city. Results show that residential posts, slums, and commercial activities are getting worse, while change values for industrial functions and other things are going down.
Magnetic plaster kiln dust (MPKD) was synthesized as a unique, low-cost composite reused of byproduct plaster kiln dust (PKD), which is considered a source of air pollution. The FESEM, EDS, XRD, FTIR, VSM, and BET tests were used to characterize the MPKD. The characterization revealed that the MPKD was nanotubes non-agglomerated and super-paramagnetic with a high specific surface area (102.7 m2/g). Compared with the specific area of other materials (composites), the MPKD could be considered a promising substance in the field of water/wastewater treatment.
Obtaining the computational models for the functioning of the brain gives us a chance to understand the brain functionality thoroughly. This would help the development of better treatments for neurological illnesses and disorders. We created a cortical model using Python language using the Brian simulator. The Brian simulator is specialized in simulating the neuronal connections and synaptic interconnections. The dynamic connection model has multiple parameters in order to ensure an accurate simulation (Bowman, 2016). We concentrated on the connection weights and studied their effect on the interactivity and connectivity of the cortical neurons in the same cortical layer and across multiple layers. As synchronization helps us to mea
... Show MoreBackground: The treatment of schizophrenia typically involves the use of olanzapine (OLZ), a typical antipsychotic drug that has poor oral bioavailability due to its low solubility and first-pass effect. Objective: To prepare and optimize OLZ as nanoparticles for transdermal delivery to avoid problems with oral administration. Methods: The nanoprecipitation technique was applied for the preparation of eight OLZ nanoparticles by using different polymers with various ratios. Nanoparticles were evaluated using different methods, including particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), entrapment efficiency (EE%), zeta potential and an in vitro release study. The morphology was evaluated by a field emission scanning electron microscope (F
... Show MoreThis work aims to provide a statistical analysis of metal removal during the Magnetic Abrasive Finishing process (MAF) and find out the mathematical model which describes the relationship between the process parameters and metal removal, also estimate the impact of the parameters on metal removal. In this study, the single point incremental forming was used to form the truncated cone made of low carbon steel (1008-AISI) based on the Z-level tool path. Then the finishing was accomplished using a magnetic abrasive process based on the Box-Behnken design of the experiment using Minitab 17 software was used to finish the surface of the formed truncated cone. The influences of different parameters (feed rate, machining step s
... Show MoreThe aim of this project was to study the in vitro effect of antineoplastic drugs (vincristine and vinblastine) on mice spermatozoa. Eighteen adult (age 8-9 weeks) male mice were divided into three groups equally. The animals in each group were slain by cervical dislocation, the testes were removed and two tails of epididymides isolated. Spermatozoa were obtained from the two tails of epididymides by mincing in 500 µl TCM-199.The first group non-treated (unadded) as a control group, second group added 10 µg/ml of vincristine to TCM-199 and the third group added 10 µg/ml of vinblastine to TCM-199. After 10 minutes from added of vincristine and vinblastin measured the following test: spermatozoa activity, percentage dead spermatozoa and mor
... Show More—Medical images have recently played a significant role in the diagnosis and detection of various diseases. Medical imaging can provide a means of direct visualization to observe through the human body and notice the small anatomical change and biological processes associated by different biological and physical parameters. To achieve a more accurate and reliable diagnosis, nowadays, varieties of computer aided detection (CAD) and computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) approaches have been established to help interpretation of the medical images. The CAD has become among the many major research subjects in diagnostic radiology and medical imaging. In this work we study the improvement in accuracy of detection of CAD system when comb
... Show MoreThe dried fruit peel of pomegranate in Punicaceae family was fractionated chromatographically on Sephadex-LH-20 column .Gallic acid (trihydroxybenzoic acid) and its related galloyl esters such as gallotannin(i.e. β-penta-O-galloyl–D-glucose) were obtained homogenously. Different concentrations of gallic acid and gallotannin were used to determine their inhibitory effect on human serum cholinesterase. The enzyme activity was measured according to the method reported by the WHO .The inhibitory effect of these compounds on the activity of human serum cholinesterase have been studied in vitro .The inhibitory effect was remarkably clear with increasing concentration of gallic acid .Whereas galloyl ester showed n
... Show MoreThe study investigates the possibility of utilizing public interactive sculptures to enhance physical activity in Saudi Arabia. The paper uses a descriptive-analytical methodology to identify the characteristics of interactive sculptures promoting physical activity in public areas as follows: The size and space of the work area are appropriate to the type of physical activity that is achieved, and the importance of the work site in the city and its relation to the surrounding space, identifying participants at the same time and their relationship to ensure safe interaction, as well as the relationship between the esthetic and intellectual concept of working in the community. The study concludes that three technical proposals were present
... Show MoreSalinity of soil or irrigation water is one of the most important obstacle towards crop production and productivity, especially with the increasing scarcity of fresh water in Iraq and the Arab countries. The impact of salinity will be alleviated with the increasing temperature due to global warming. The objectives of this article was to shed some light on traits more related to salinity stress tolerance in oats, and to identify genetic variation of these traits. A split-plot arrangement experiment with RCBD was applied through 2011-2013 on the farm of Dept. of Field Crops/Coll. of Agric./Univ. of Baghdad. The oats cultivars; Hamel, Pimula and Genzania were set in sub-plots, whereas water quality was set in main-plots. Water quality had two
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