Alteration of repeat tract length within the SSR of phase variable genes may enhance the persistence of isolates within their host for a long time (a period of months) (Alamro et al.,2014). Alamro et al. (2014) showed there was trend towards selection for OFF state or low expression for five phase variable genes (opc, hmbr, nadA, nalP, hpuAB) in three carriers (V54, V124 and V64) within strains belonging into CC174 and CC167 in first, second and third time points. He concluded that the selection for low or OFF state helped N. meningitidis to persist for a long time (Alamro et al., 2014). The current study aimed to detect the alteration in the repeat tracts of the same five variable genes within the previous three carriers (V54, V124, and V64) but for other strains belonging to CC22, CC269, and CC198 at the fourth time point. There was also a trend towards selection for an OFF state or low expression for three genes which are (opc, hpuAb, nalP) with 2/3 (66.6%) carriers while hmbr gene showed ON state in all carriers (100%). This indicates that antibodies formed against (opc, HpuAb, nalP) genes in strains belonging to CC174 and CC167 in first, second and third time points were able to enhance immunization against the isolates in the current study for CC269 and CC22 resulting in the selection for the OFF state or low expression. Conversely, antibodies formed against hmbr gene in the previous time points on isolates within the CC167 may not show immunization against hmbr gene in the isolates of current study CC22, CC198 and CC269 and so the gene stayed in the ON state. Interestingly, the nadA gene was missing from isolates under the current study. These results may reflect important aspects in the vaccination program especially as nadA is one of the component of Bexsero vaccine.
Water is necessary for sustainable development and healthy society. Groundwater, often, is not sufficient and protected for direct human consumption. Due to increase in the density of population the requirement of water is increasing. In this work, the assessment of groundwater quality was conducted in the south-west part of Basrah province. Spatial variations in the quality of groundwater in the study area have been analyzed utilizing GIS technique. The geochemical parameters of groundwater samples including pH, EC, TDS, Ca, Mg, Na, Cl, HCO3, SO4, and NO3 were assessed in this study. Information maps of the study area have been actually prepared to make use of the GIS spatial
... Show MoreThe performance in the 110-meter hurdles at the sprint hurdles event is determined by several physical and physiological qualities. Nonetheless, relatively little attention has been paid to the predictability of such factors in determining race performance. This study seeks to fill this gap by establishing the most critical physical and physiological characteristics affecting elite hurdlers’ performance and creating a statistical model that predicts race times from the identified measurable characteristics. The study utilized a descriptive research design in-volving six elite male hurdlers, all of whom completed a battery of standardized physical and functional tests to assess their explosive lower-body strength, agility, reaction
... Show MoreA Raman spectroscopy method was optimised to examine the chemical changes of aspirin tablets after interaction with helium temperatures. Several aspirin tablets were exposed to plasma-assisted desorption ionisation flame for different times (10, 30, 50, 60, 180 and 300s) and then analysed by Raman spectroscopy using optimal conditions. The changes in chemistry between exposed and fresh (without exposure to plasma) tablets were compared. The vibrational peaks of the aspirin molecule in the Raman spectrum were identified by checking the peak position. The results showed clear spectra with increases in intensity of vibrational peaks until 30s, whereas no spectra were measured for the exposed tablets to plasma flame after 50s. It can, the
... Show MoreIn this study, a cholera model with asymptomatic carriers was examined. A Holling type-II functional response function was used to describe disease transmission. For analyzing the dynamical behavior of cholera disease, a fractional-order model was developed. First, the positivity and boundedness of the system's solutions were established. The local stability of the equilibrium points was also analyzed. Second, a Lyapunov function was used to construct the global asymptotic stability of the system for both endemic and disease-free equilibrium points. Finally, numerical simulations and sensitivity analysis were carried out using matlab software to demonstrate the accuracy and validate the obtained results.
The rapid and uncontrolled expansion of urban sprawl in Baghdad, particularly after 2003, has significantly transformed the city's landscape. This expansion stems from socio-political instability, a lack of affordable housing, and inadequate urban planning frameworks. As informal settlements encroach on agricultural lands, the city's infrastructure—including water, sanitation, and transportation systems—faces mounting pressure. This situation presents critical challenges to the sustainability of Baghdad’s public services and the quality of life for its residents. This study aims to evaluate the impact of unregulated urban sprawl on Baghdad’s public services and infrastructure, focusing on how informal growth has undermined the city'
... Show MoreA significant challenge arises in the characterization of urban systems, especially regarding the intricate structures of Central Business Districts (CBDs). Conventional models seem insufficient, failing to comprehend the non-linear, network-oriented structure of the city's economic and social dynamics. This creates a disparity between the city's physical, geographical structure and the unseen processes occurring within it. The fundamental inquiry is thus configurational: how can we systematically examine the inherent spatial logic of the CBD to develop a more efficient and predictive planning model? This paper presents a theoretical and methodological model to explore this inquiry, which focuses on Lower Manhattan as the primary su
... Show MoreDelays occur commonly in construction projects. Assessing the impact of delay is sometimes a contentious
issue. Several delay analysis methods are available but no one method can be universally used over another in
all situations. The selection of the proper analysis method depends upon a variety of factors including
information available, time of analysis, capabilities of the methodology, and time, funds and effort allocated to the analysis. This paper presents computerized schedule analysis programmed that use daily windows analysis method as it recognized one of the most credible methods, and it is one of the few techniques much more likely to be accepted by courts than any other method. A simple case study has been implement
Objectives: Semen analysis is the cornerstone for the valuation of the male partner in the infertile couples. This test has been standardized throughout the world through the World Health Organization (WHO) since the1970s by producing, editing, updating, and disseminating a semen analysis manual and guidelines. A retrospective study to give an insight about male infertility. Methods: This retrospective study assessed the semen findings of 1000 men evaluated at the Department of Urology, Al-Kindy Teaching Hospital in Baghdad-Iraq between January 2016 and May 2019. Semen analysis were done for them. Results: According to WHO standard for semen normality, 1000 samples that were analyzed, normospermia was shown in 835 (83.5%)males
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