This paper proposes a novel meta-heuristic optimization algorithm called the fine-tuning meta-heuristic algorithm (FTMA) for solving global optimization problems. In this algorithm, the solutions are fine-tuned using the fundamental steps in meta-heuristic optimization, namely, exploration, exploitation, and randomization, in such a way that if one step improves the solution, then it is unnecessary to execute the remaining steps. The performance of the proposed FTMA has been compared with that of five other optimization algorithms over ten benchmark test functions. Nine of them are well-known and already exist in the literature, while the tenth one is proposed by the authors and introduced in this article. One test trial was shown t

   The aim of this work is to detect the best operating conditions that effect on the removal of Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Ni²⁺ ions from aqueous solution using date pits in the batch adsorption experiments. The results have shown that the Al-zahdi Iraqi date pits demonstrated more efficient at certain values of operating conditions of adsorbent doses of 0.12 g/ml of aqueous solution, adsorption time 72 h, pH solution 5.5 ±0.2, shaking speed  300 rpm, and smallest adsorbent particle size needed for removal of metals.  At the same time the particle size of date pits has a little effect on the adsorption at low initial concentration of heavy metals. The adsorption of metals increases with increas

ABSTRACT

            The controversy is currently revolving around industrial additives, including antioxidants, their negative effects on consumer health and the emergence of various and various diseases, which led scientists and researchers to intensify most studies on natural antioxidants and their synthesis from medicinal plants mentioned in ancient medicine and in divine books as potential antioxidants of increasing importance. Therefore, this study was designed to synthesize silver nitrate particles from plant leaf extracts (Figs, Olives, and Moringa) and study their effect on bacterial inhibition of each of the undesirable Coliform bacteria (E-Coli,

A pulsed (TEA-0O2) laser was used to dissociate molecules of silane ethylene (C2I-14) and ammonia (NH3) gases, through collision assisted multiple photon dissociation (MPD) to deposit(SiC i_xNx) thin films, where the X-values are 0, 0.13 and 0.33, on glass substrate at T,----648 K. deposition rate of (0.416-0.833) nm/pulse and thickness of (500-1000)nm .Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR) was used to study the nature of the chemical bonds that exist in the films. Results revealed that these films contain complex networks of the atomic (Si, C, and N), other a quantity of atomic hydrogen and chemical bonds such as (Si-N, C-N, C-14 and N-H).Absorbance and Transmittance spectra in the wavelength range (400-1100) nm were used to stud

This paper reports a.c., d.c. conductivity and dielectric behavior of Ep-hybrid composite with12 Vol.% Kevlar-Carbon hybrid . D.C. conductivity measurements are conducted on the graded composites by using an electrometer over the temperature range from (293-413) K. It was shown then that conductivity increases by increasing number of Kevlar –Carbon fiber layers (Ep1, Ep2, Ep3), due to the high electrical conductivity of Carbon fiber. To identify the mechanism governing the conduction, the activation energies at low temperature region (LTR) and at high temperature region (HTR) have been calculated. The activation energy values for hybrid composite decrease with increasing number of fiber layers. The a.c. conductivity was measured over fr

This paper attempted to study the effect of cutting parameters (spindle speed and feed rate) on delamination phenomena during the drilling glass-polyester composites. Drilling process was done by CNC machine with 10 mm diameter of high-speed steel (HSS) drill bit. Taguchi technique with L16 orthogonal layout was used to analyze the effective parameters on delamination factor. The optimal experiment was no. 13 with spindle speed 1273 rpm and feed 0.05 mm/rev with minimum delamination factor 1.28.                                       &

Membrane manufacturing system was operated using dry/wet phase inversion process. A sample of hollow fiber membrane was prepared using (17% wt PVC) polyvinyl chloride as membrane material and N, N Dimethylacetamide (DMAC) as solvent in the first run and the second run was made using (DMAC/Acetone) of ratio 3.4 w/w. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to predict the structure and dimensions of hollow fiber membranes prepared. The ultrafiltration experiments were performed using soluble polymeric solute poly ethylene glycol (PEG) of molecular weight (20000 Dalton) 800 ppm solution 25 °C temperature and 1 bar pressure. The experimental results show that pure water permeation increased from 25.7 to 32.2 (L/m2.h.bar) by adding a

Anise and thyme crude extract were used to prepare a lotion for topical application due to their antimicrobial, germicidal and antifungal effects. Two formulas were prepared using the mentioned natural plants, formula 2 (selected lotion) was the most acceptable one which contained veegum and xanthan gum as suspending agents in addition to other exceipients providing it good properties with high physical stability because of its flocculating, pouring, resuspending easily with sedimentation volume (F) 0.96. In addition to unchangeable odor and color with expiration date of one year. While the Preliminary clinical study was done using this lotion on 10 patients with infecious viral skin diseases, it was found that this lotion was successful

In this work, silver (Ag) self-metallization on a polyimide (PI) film was prepared through autocatalytic plating. PI films were prepared through the solution casting method, followed by etching with potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution, sensitization with tin chloride (SnCl₂), and the use of palladium chloride (PdCl₂) to activate the surface of PI. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) showed the highest peak in the (Ag) region and confirmed the presence of AgNPs. The diffraction peaks at 2θ = 38.2^°, 44.5^°, 64.6^°, and 78.2^° represented the 111, 200, 220, and 311 planes of Ag, respectively. The FT–IR an