A comparative study was carried out to evaluate alkaloid antibacterial activity which was extracted from the root bark Punica granatum L. by liquid membrane techniques (SA) and organic solvent traditional techniques (SB). The screening of the antimicrobial activity was conducted by agar well diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis at three concentration levels (5, 10 and 15 mg/ml). Alkaloid extracts were analyzed by a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Among the tested extractions, SB showed the highest antibacterial activity against all five bacterial strains, especially at 15 mg/ml concentration. However, all the B type solutions concentrations were significantly affected against tested bacteria. The most susceptible bacteria to SA were E. coli, followed by Proteus mirabilis while the most resistant bacteria were Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella pneumoniae, followed by Staphylococcus aureus. Bioautography showed that the antimicrobial activity was probably due to Pelletierine compounds.
Imitation learning is an effective method for training an autonomous agent to accomplish a task by imitating expert behaviors in their demonstrations. However, traditional imitation learning methods require a large number of expert demonstrations in order to learn a complex behavior. Such a disadvantage has limited the potential of imitation learning in complex tasks where the expert demonstrations are not sufficient. In order to address the problem, we propose a Generative Adversarial Network-based model which is designed to learn optimal policies using only a single demonstration. The proposed model is evaluated on two simulated tasks in comparison with other methods. The results show that our proposed model is capable of completing co
... Show MoreThe lead has adverse effects in contamination the aquatic environment, for this reason, a laboratory simulation was conducted using kaolinite collected from the Ga’ara Formation at western Iraq to be considered as a natural sorbent material that can be addressed Pb2+ from the aqueous environments. The Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy and atomic absorption spectroscopy clarifying very fine grains and pure phase with a very little quantity of quartz and has a number of active sites for adsorption. The sorption of kaolinite for the Pb2+ has been carefully tested by several designed laboratory experiments. Five lead solutions of different concentrations (25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 ppm) were tested under different values of pH (1.3-9)
... Show MoreFreedom of opinion is one of the freedoms that constitutions and laws have guaranteed to protect and is exercised through the media. However, this freedom must be exercised within certain limits, which include respecting a person’s right to preserve his privacy, image and reputation. Just as the media has the freedom to exercise its right to publish and express its opinion with complete frankness, it is in return obligated to respect the rights of others and avoid defaming them and violating their privacy. If the media does this, the injured party has the right to demand compensation for the damage he has suffered as a result.
Background: Birth defects are the leading cause of both neonatal and post-neonatal deaths, as an estimated 240,000 neonates die in their first month of life worldwide each year. In Iraq, local studies have shown varying frequencies and types of congenital anomalies. Objectives: To provide new insight into the incidence and types of congenital anomalies and to explore their possible risk factors in Baghdad City. Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, a total of 2007 neonates were enrolled from six hospitals in Baghdad during the period extending between September and December 2020. Hospital records and personal interviews were used for data collection. These data included the neonates' demographic and clinical characte
... Show MoreAbstract Background The aim of this study was to identify differences in oral cancer incidence among sexes, age groups and oral sites over time in Iraqi population. Methods Data was obtained from Iraqi cancer registry, differences and trends were assessed with the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test and Regression test, respectively. Results In Iraq from 2000 to 2008, there were 1787 new cases of oral cancer registered, 1035 in men and 752 in women. Cancer at all oral sites affected men more than women. The Tongue other (ICD-02) is the most frequent site follow by lip (ICD-00). Conclusion The decrease in the percent of oral cancer incidence in Iraq not compatible with the high percent of exposure to the risk factors, Iraqi cancer regis
... Show MoreThe present work aims to study the possibility of utilization a forward osmosis desalination process as an alternative method to extract water from brine solution rejected from reverse osmosis process.
Experiments conducted in a laboratory–scale forward osmosis (FO) unit in cross flow flat sheet membrane cell yielded water flux ranging from (0.0315 to 0.56 L/m2 .min) when using CTA membrane,and ranging from (0.419 to 2.785 L/m2 .min) for PA membrane under 0.4 bar. Two possible membrane orientations were tested. Sodium chloride with high concentrations was used as draw solution solute. The effect of membrane orientation on internal concentration polarization (ICP) was studied. Two regimes of ICP; dilutive and concentrative were desc
The removal of Ibuprofen antibiotics (IBU) by photo-degradation UV/H2O2/Fe+2 system was investigated in a batch reactor under different initial concentrations of H2O2 (100-500) mg/L, Fe+2 (10-40) mg/L, pH (3-9) and initial concentrations of IBU (10-80) mg/L, and their relationship with the degradation efficiency were studied. The result demonstrated that the maximum elimination of IBU was 85.54% achieved at 300 mg/L of H2O2, 30 mg/L of Fe+2, pH=3, and irradiation time of 150 min, for 10 mg/L of IBU. The results have shown that the oxidation reagent H2O2 plays a very important role in IBU degradation.
This work focuses on the use of biologically produced activated carbon for improving the physi-co-chemical properties of water samples obtained from the Tigris River. An eco-friendly and low-cost activated carbon was prepared from the Alhagi plant using potassium hydroxide (KOH) as an impregnation agent. The prepared activated carbon was characterised using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to determine the functional groups that exist on the raw material (Alhagi plant) and Alhagi activated carbon (AAC). Scanning electron microscope–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscope was also used to investigate the surface shape and the elements that compose the powder. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis was used to evaluate the spe
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