Dielectric barrier discharges (DBD) can be described as the presence of contact with the discharge of one or more insulating layers located between two cylindrical or flat electrodes connected to an AC/pulse dc power supply. In this work, the properties of the plasma generated by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) system without and with a glass insulator were studied. The plasma was generated at a constant voltage of 4 kV and fixed distance between the electrodes of 5 mm, and with a variable flow rate of argon gas (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5) L/min. The emission spectra of the DBD plasmas at different flow rates of argon gas have been recorded. Boltzmann plot method was used to calculate the plasma electron temperature (Te), and Stark broadeni

Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by inflammatory events in the airways, that makes breathing a hard process in these patients. Angiotensin II (AngII) is important regulator for aldosterone production. Also, it participates in inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory events. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is responsible for the production of AngII. We hypothesised that ACE and AngII participate in the progression of asthma by increasing ROS production and inflammatory processes. Thus, we evaluated the level of AngII, the activity of ACE, and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) as indicators for oxidative stress in 60 asthmatic male patients and 30 non-asthmatic male control. An asthma control test (ACT) was estima

In-situ gelation is a process of gel formation at the site of application, in which a drug product formulation that exists as a liquid has been transformed into a gel upon contact with body fluids. As a drug delivery agent, the in-situ gel has an advantage of providing sustained release of the drug agent.  In-situ gelling liquid suppositories using poloxamer 188 (26-30% W/W) as a suppository base with 10% W/W naproxen were prepared, the gelation temperature of these preparations were measured and they were all above the physiological temperature. Additives such as polyvinylpyrrolidin "PVP" ,hydroxylpropylmethylcellulose  "HPMC", sodium alginate and sodium chloride were used in concentration ranging from (0.25-1

Objective: To determine the quality assurance for maternal and child health care services in Baghdad City.
Methodology: A descriptive study is conducted throughout the period of November 28th 2008 to October 10th
2009. A simple random sample of (349) is selected through the use of probability sampling approach. The study
sample was divided into four groups which include (220) consumers, (35) medical staff, (72) nursing staff and (22)
organization structure (primary health care centers). Data were collected through the use of assessment tools. It was
comprised of four questionnaires and overall items included in these questionnaires are (116) items. The study
included assessment of organization structure. Data were colle

Lower extremity exoskeletons can assist with performing particular functions such as gait assistance, and physical therapy support for subjects who have lost the ability to walk. This paper presents the analysis and evaluation of lightweight and adjustable two degrees of freedom, quasi-passive lower limb device to improve gait rehabilitation. The exoskeleton consists of a high torque DC motor mounted on a metal plate above the hip joint, and a link that transmits assistance torque from the motor to the thigh. The knee joint is passively actuated by spring installed parallel with the joint. The action of the passive component (spring) is combined with mechanical output of the motor to provide a good control on the designed exoskeleton whi

Mechanical rock properties are essential to minimize many well problems during drilling and production operations. While these properties are crucial in designing optimum mud weights during drilling operations, they are also necessary to reduce the sanding risk during production operations. This study has been conducted on the Zubair sandstone reservoir, located in the south of Iraq. The primary purpose of this study is to develop a set of empirical correlations that can be used to estimate the mechanical rock properties of sandstone reservoirs. The correlations are established using laboratory (static) measurements and well logging (dynamic) data. The results support the evidence that porosity and sonic travel time are consistent i

Partial shading is one of the problems that affects the power production and the efficiency of photovoltaic module. A series of experimental work have been done of partial shading of   monocrystalline PV module; 50W, I_sc: 3.1A, V_oc: 22V with 36 cells in series is achieved. Non-linear power output responses of the module are observed by applying various cases of partial shading (vertical and horizontal shading of solar cells in the module). Shading a single cell (corner cell) has the greatest impact on output energy. Horizontal shading or vertical shading reduced the power from 41W to 18W at constant solar radiation 1000W/m² and steady state condition. Vertical blocking a column