Photonic Crystal Fiber Interferometers (PCFIs) are widely used for sensing applications. This work presents the fabrication and the characterization of a relative humidity sensor based on a polymer-coated photonic crystal fiber that operates in a Mach- Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) transmission mode. The fabrication of the sensor involved splicing a short (1 cm) length of Photonic Crystal Fiber (PCF) between two single-mode fibers (SMF). It was then coated with a layer of agarose solution. Experimental results showed that a high humidity sensitivity of 29.37 pm/%RH was achieved within a measurement range of 27–95%RH. The sensor also showed good repeatability, small size, measurement accuracy and wide humidity range. The RH sensitivity of the sensor has a significant dependence on the thickness of the coating and the sensor with the highest sensitivity showed a linear response for RH change in the range of 27-95% RH and a fast response time of 0.8 sec for an RH change from 50% to 90%.
ST segment, T wave changes, QT interval changes, and QTc dispersion are among the parameters used to diagnose ischemic heart disease. The increase in the QT dispersion can be caused by myocardial ischemia, among other heart diseases, whereas cardiac diseases such as coronary artery disease (CAD) can be diagnosed by observing an abnormally high QTc dispersion. This study aimed to evaluate the variations in the QTc dispersion (depolarization and repolarization) of surface electrocardiography as a result of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with chronic total occlusion. This study took place in the Iraqi Center for Heart Disease from October 2020 to February 2021. 110 patients who suffered from chronic occlusion of t
... Show MoreT-joints are common structures encountered in the assemblage of many industrial applications due to their advantages. However, joining these structures when using Friction Stir Welding (FSW) could be prone to defects that cause severe consequences like loss of strength and fracture. The current paper implements an experimental procedure to assess the effect of geometrical tool shape on void formation in friction stir welded AA 6061-T6 T-joint configuration. Taguchi optimization method was put into service to minimize the number of experiments and fulfil the goal of discovering the optimal FSW parameters that allow the manufacturing of such configurations with high mechanical properties. X-ray radiography and micrograph images were u
... Show MoreOne of the most effective ways of managing solid waste is microwave-assisted pyrolysis. This research used MW-assisted catalytic co-pyrolysis to extract essential oils from algae powder (AP) and date seed (DS). Graphite and a CaO nanocatalyst were utilized. As for the feedstock, it was a 1:1 mixture of AP and DS. The char content, oil production, and gas generation of co-pyrolysis yields varied between 18.8 wt% and 24.31 wt%, 43.08 wt%, and 55.295 wt%, and 25.905% to 32.60 wt%, respectively. The effect of the CaO nanocatalyst on product yields, feedstock conversion, and heating rates was analyzed. Product yields, average heating rates, and conversion factors were among the metrics studied to determine the synergistic effects and pyr
... Show MoreDialysis is a stressful process and follows various psychological and social problems, which can lead to psychological disturbances. Patients on dialysis experience psychological distress, and the reduction of stress in patients provides psychological resources to cope with their physical condition. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of deep-breathing exercise training on the level of stress among maintenance hemodialysis patients.
This study is a randomized
In this study, the possible protective effects of daidzein on ifosfamide-induced neurotoxicity in male rats were examined by the determination of changes in selected oxidant–antioxidant markers of male rats’ brain tissue.
Twenty-eight (28) apparently-healthy Wistar male rats weighing (120-150gm) allocated into 4 groups (n=7) were used in this study. Rats orally-administered 1% tween 20 dissolved in distilled water/Control (Group I); rats were orally-administered daidzein suspension (100mg/kg) for 7 days (Group II); rats intraperitoneally-injected with a single dose of ifosfamide (500 mg/kg) (Group III); rats orally-administered for 7 days with the daidzein (100mg/
... Show MoreBackground: There are so many evidences that there was antimicrobial resistance, and there were many strains that emerged which were difficult to treat. We are living in a situation that the dissemination of multiple drug resistant bacteria can lead us to the situation, in which no treatment could be offered for bacterial infection in future.
Aim of study: Assessment of nurses’ knowledge, attitude, and practices on antibiotic use and resistance in Fatima Al Zahra hospital in Baghdad.
Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study. The study was carried on from 1st of February to 31st of March 2021. A questionnaire was constructed by the research team based on literature review and was adapted to asses
... Show MoreIn this study, the possible protective effects of daidzein on ifosfamide-induced neurotoxicity in male rats were examined by the determination of changes in selected oxidant–antioxidant markers of male rats’ brain tissue. Twenty-eight (28) apparently-healthy Wistar male rats weighing (120-150gm) allocated into 4 groups (n=7) were used in this study. Rats orally-administered 1% tween 20 dissolved in distilled water/Control (Group I); rats were orally-administered daidzein suspension (100mg/kg) for 7 days (Group II); rats intraperitoneally-injected with a single dose of ifosfamide (500 mg/kg) (Group III); rats orally-administered for 7 days with the daidzein (100mg/kg) before a single intraperitoneal dose of ifosfamide (
... Show MoreAbstract Background: The prevalence of heart failure (HF) continues to increase with an increase in the aging population. Palliative care should be integrated into routine disease management for all patients with serious illness, regardless of settings or prognosis. Objectives: The purposes of this study were to determine the level of knowledge of nurses concerning palliative care for patients with heart failure after implementation of instructional program. Design: The study was a quasi-experimental study and consists of 60 nurses. Setting: The study was conducted between17th November 2021, to 10th February 2022, at three teaching hospitals in Baghdad city, Iraq. Method: A non-probability (purposive) sample was utilized, nurses who agreed
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