Public-private partnership (PPP) has been used over the past 20-30 years by governments in developed countries to meet the public demand for infrastructural services. In Iraq, the PPP concept is comparatively new to the Government of Iraq (GoI), where the government has historically taken most of the responsibility for providing public services. There are few PPP projects in Iraq. However, the number is increasing. Recently the Iraqi market has experienced a number of attempts of PPP in different sectors, especially after the new investment law in 2006. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the investment environment in Iraq and to indicate the main factors affecting PPP in particular for infrastructure projects. Some literature review and data collections have been made, and for validation purposes a limited number of semi-structured interviews with professionals involved in Iraq’s projects have been conducted. The findings indicate that undertaking infrastructure business in Iraq is subject to some specific risks and obstacles limiting the readiness of the private sector to participate. Finally the major issues are pointed out to be tackled by decision makers in both the public and private sectors in Iraq to establish a more efficient framework for the future PPP projects in Iraq.
A numerical investigation was performed on triangular solar air collectors by integrating unique layouts of triangular and alternating triangular copper metal foams with graded and non-graded pore densities. A three-dimensional CFD model was established to solve the governing equations of coupled systems for porous and non-porous domains. The two-energy-equations model was implemented to simulate heat transfer in porous media. The mathematical model was validated with numerical and experimental tests, with maximum mean absolute percentage error of 5% and 7%, respectively. To compromise heat transfer improvement with pressure losses, a partial metal foam insertion was adopted, covering 10% to 25% of the air duct volume. The findings indicate
... Show MoreAu nanoparticle-functionalized (TiO2)1−x(ZnO:MgO)x nanocomposite thin films (0≤x≤0.3) were effectively produced by chemical spray pyrolysis and annealed at 600 °C. The effects of ZnO incorporation and Au nanoparticle modification on the films' structural, optical, and antibacterial properties were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–Vis spectroscopy, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). XRD analysis confirms the formation of polycrystalline anatase TiO2 and shows a composition-dependent structural development with increasing ZnO concentration. The optical experiments revealed increased transmittance and a progressive widening of the optical band gap from 3
... Show MoreThe aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of listening to music or Quran in reducing cancer patients’ anxiety before chemotherapy administration. Reducing anxiety in people with cancer, prior to chemotherapy administration, is a crucial goal in nursing care.
An experimental comparative study was conducted.
A simple randomization sampling method was applied. Two hundred thirty‐eight people with cancer who underwent chemotherapy were participated. They are assigned as Quran, music and control groups.
The Mannich base ligand was synthesized in an ethanol medium through a condensation reaction of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole and ciprofloxacin at room temperature. Subsequently, several metal complexes of this ligand were prepared. To characterize both the base ligand and the metal complexes, various techniques were employed, including elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, molar conductivity measurements, magnetic moment determination, and melting point analysis. The results were shown that the metal complexes formed have the formula [Cr(L)2Cl2] Cl.H2O and [Rh(L)2(H2O)2] Cl3.H2O, where L= mannich base ligand. Based on spectroscopic analytical, coordination with metal ions involves the 'N' donor atom of mannich base
... Show MoreCombination of natural poly-phenolic compounds with chemotherapeutic agents is recently being a novel strategy in cancer therapy researches owing to their potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that modulate several intracellular signaling pathways.
Resveratrol and Baicalein are well known poly-phenolic compounds that belong to stilbene and flavone subclasses, respectively.
This study aims to investigate the possible enhancement effect of resveratrol and Baicalein when combined with doxorubicin using a different combination ratio and applied on two cancer cell lines: HCT116 (colorectal cancer cells) and HepG2 (hepatocellular cancer cells). It also investigates the possibility of such natural compounds to p
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