Among the metaheuristic algorithms, population-based algorithms are an explorative search algorithm superior to the local search algorithm in terms of exploring the search space to find globally optimal solutions. However, the primary downside of such algorithms is their low exploitative capability, which prevents the expansion of the search space neighborhood for more optimal solutions. The firefly algorithm (FA) is a population-based algorithm that has been widely used in clustering problems. However, FA is limited in terms of its premature convergence when no neighborhood search strategies are employed to improve the quality of clustering solutions in the neighborhood region and exploring the global regions in the search space. On the

Azo ligand 11-(4-methoxyphenyl azo)-6-oxo-5,6-dihydro-benzo[4,5] imidazo[1,2-c] quinazoline-9-carboixylic acid was derived from 4-methoxyaniline and 6-oxo-5,6-dihydro-benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-c]quinazoline-9-carboxylic acid. The presence of azo dye was identified by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods (FT-IR and UV-Vis). The compounds formed have been identified by using atomic absorption in flame, FT.IR, UV-Vis spectrometry magnetic susceptibility and conductivity. In order to evaluate the antibacterial efficiency of ligand and its complexes used in this study three species of bacteria were also examined. Ligand and its complexes showed good bacterial efficiencies. From the obtained data, an octahedral geometry was proposed for all p

Coupling reaction of 2-amino benzoic acid with phenol gave the new bidentate azo ligand. The prepared ligand was identified by Microelemental Analysis, FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopic technique. Treatment of the prepared ligand with the following metal ions (CoII, NiII, CuII and ZnII) in aqueous ethanol with a 1:2 M:L ratio and at optimum pH, yielded a series of neutral complexes of the general formula [M(L)2]. The prepared complexes were characterized using flame atomic absorption, (C.H.N) Analysis, FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopic methods as well as magnetic susceptibility and conductivity measurements. The nature of the complexes formed were studied following the mole ratio and continuous variation methods, Beer's law obeyed over a concentr

Coupling reaction of 4-amino antipyrene with 2,6-dimethyl phenol gave bidentate azo ligand. The prepared ligand was identified by Microelemental Analysis, 1HNMR, FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopic techniques. Treatment of the prepared ligand with the following metal ions (CoII, NiII, CuII, ZnII, CdII, and HgII) in aqueous ethanol with a 1:2 M:L ratio and at optimum pH, yielded a series of neutral complexes of the general formula [M(L)2Cl2]. The prepared complexes were characterized using flame atomic absorption, (C.H.N) Analysis, FT-IR and UVVis spectroscopic methods as well as magnetic susceptibility and conductivity measurements. Chloride ion content was also evaluated by (Mohr method). The nature of the complexes formed were studied followin

The present study aims to evaluate the biosorption of reactive orange dye by using garden grass. Experiments were carried out in a batch reactor to obtain equilibrium and thermodynamic data. Experimental parameters affecting the biosorption process such as pH, shaking time, initial dye concentrations, and temperature were thoroughly examined. The optimum pH for removal was found to be 4. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis indicated that the electronegative groups on the surface of garden grass were the major groups responsible for the biosorption process. Four sorption isotherm models were employed to analyze the experimental data of which Temkin and Pyzhey model was found to be most suitable one. The maxim

Complexes of (Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+) with the ligand Ethyl cyano (2-methyl carboxylate phenyl azo acetate) (ECA) have been prepared and characterized by FTIR, (UV-Visible), Atomic absorption spectroscopy, Molar conductivity measurements and magnetic moments measurements. The following general formula has been suggested for the prepared complexes [M(ECA)2]Cl2 where M = (Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+ ,Zn2+, Cd2+, Hg2+) and the geometry is octahedral.

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a very common infection caused by the obligate intracellular protozoan parasite. This parasite is called Toxoplasma gondii widely distributed around the world . Toxoplasma gondii can be vertically transmitted to the fetus during pregnancy and may cause wide range of clinical manifestations in the offspring.

Objective: To determine seroprevalence Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin M  (IgM ) to toxoplasma gondii among pregnant women and to identify the risk factors.

Type of the study: A cross-sectional study.

Methods: A total of 110 blood samples of pregnant women were collected from

            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 extrin

In this research, the influence of the fermentation treatments and baking in Iraqi’s flour type (Ibaa 99, Al-rashed, Tamus, Abu-grabe) and Turkish flour type (Muaamel) on phytic acid was investigated. In whole wheat flour, the phytic acid was (1500, 1290, 1450, 1230, 1440 ( mg/ 100 g flour respectively, and the inorganic phosphorous was (29.18, 25.15, 23.89, 20.85, 22.83) mg/100 g flour respectively. The dough prepared from flour with a higher phytic acid content also contained higher amount of phytic acid. During fermentation, degradation of phytic acid occurred. The cumulative loss of phytic acid after fermentation in all type of dough was ~ 23, 22, 34, 26 and 27% respectively،While increased of inorganic phosphorous occurred. The c