Functional yogurts enriched with plant-based bioactive compounds have emerged as promising dietary strategies to enhance human health. Objective: This study investigated the fortification of yogurt with Rhamnus alaternus fruit powder and its impact on quality characteristics, sensory attributes, and antioxidant activity. Methods: The current study involved preparing a powder from the fruit of the R. alternus plant, which underwent chemical and antioxidant analysis. Fresh buffalo milk was used to prepare yogurt, and products were fortified with the R. alternus powder. Results: R. alternus powder demonstrated significant improvements in taste, flavor, texture, color, and overall acceptability compared to the control. Conclusion: R. alternus p

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This research investigates the pre- and post-cracking resistance of steel fiber-reinforced concrete specimens with Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars subjected to flexural loading. The purpose is to modify the ductility and cracking resistance of GFRP-reinforced beams, which are prone to early cracking and excessive deflections instigated by the low modulus of elasticity of GFRP. Six self-compacting concrete specimens (1500×240×200 mm), incorporating steel fibers of two lengths (25 mm and 40 mm) with varying distribution depths, were tested to assess their structural performance. The results indicate significant enhancements in cracking resistance, stiffness, energy absorption, ductility, and flexural strength. Tested beam

Well-being and prosperous living are among the most significant goals of sustainable development, and development strategies should be directed toward satisfying individuals’ needs and living in happy cities. The research explores the potential for establishing a comprehensive strategy by examining different approaches to urban planning and their impact on individuals’ happiness. The research problem is the absence of a clear, standardized vision for developing cities that satisfy individuals’ needs and promote happiness. The hypothesis suggests exploring urban development strategies for the happiest cities in the world to satisfy individuals’ needs and promote happiness. Relying on the concept of the happy city, sustainabil

Soil salinization is a pervasive global issue, particularly in semi-arid and dry areas. It constitutes the primary cause of soil degradation, significantly impairing soil functionality and agricultural productivity. Consequently, there is a pressing need for precise procedures to measure soil salinity in various areas, which are necessary for managing, correcting, monitoring, and utilizing saline soils effectively. This study employed remote sensing (RS) techniques as a robust approach for constructing predictive models of soil salinity by examining changes in soil salinity using different salinity indices and comparing them with electrical conductivity (EC) measurements for soil samples. Among the five salinity indices evaluated, t

This research investigates the pre- and post-cracking resistance of steel fiber-reinforced concrete specimens with Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars subjected to flexural loading. The purpose is to modify the ductility and cracking resistance of GFRP-reinforced beams, which are prone to early cracking and excessive deflections instigated by the low modulus of elasticity of GFRP. Six self-compacting concrete specimens (1500×240×200 mm), incorporating steel fibers of two lengths (25 mm and 40 mm) with varying distribution depths, were tested to assess their structural performance. The results indicate significant enhancements in cracking resistance, stiffness, energy absorption, ductility, and flexural strength. Tested beam

Dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis (SD) are common skin disorders affecting the scalp and extending to other body sites in the case of SD. They are associated with pruritus and scaling, causing an esthetical disturbance in the population affected.   Treatment of such conditions involves using a variety of drugs for long terms, thus optimizing drug formulation is essential to improve therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance. Conventional topical formulations like shampoos and creams have been widely used but their use is associated with disadvantages. To overcome such effects, novel topical nanotechnology-based formulations are currently under investigation. In the following article, we highlight recently published formulatio

The shortage in surface water quantities led to a shift in dependence on the groundwater as an alternative water source in southern parts of Iraq. The groundwater is decreasing in quantity and water quality is degrading due to different factors. Therefore, it is important to assess the groundwater quality of the Missan Governorate of the country by analyzing the physicochemical parameters and distinguishing the probable sources of contaminants in the area. The present study used water quality diagrams and statistical methods such as factor analysis and agglomerative cluster analysis to determine the sources of chemical ions in the forty-four groundwater samples collected from wells in the study area. In addition, the Water Quality Index (WQ