The aim of this study is to compare the effects of three methods: problem-based learning (PBL), PBL with lecture method, and conventional teaching on self-directed learning skills among physics undergraduates. The actual sample size comprises of 122 students, who were selected randomly from the Physics Department, College of Education in Iraq. In this study, the pre- and post-test were done and the instruments were administered to the students for data collection. The data was analyzed and statistical results rejected null hypothesis of this study. This study revealed that there are no signifigant differences between PBL and PBL with lecture method, thus the PBL without or with lecture method enhances the self-directed learning skills bette

Flying Ad hoc Networks (FANETs) has developed as an innovative technology for access places without permanent infrastructure. This emerging form of networking is construct of flying nodes known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that fly at a fast rate of speed, causing frequent changes in the network topology and connection failures. As a result, there is no dedicated FANET routing protocol that enables effective communication between these devices. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the performance of the category of topology-based routing protocols in the FANET. In a surveillance system involving video traffic, four routing protocols with varying routing mechanisms were examined. Additionally, simulation experiments conduct

A simple and novel membraneless paper-based microfluidic fuel cell was presented in this study. The occurrence of laminar flow was employed to ensure no mixing of the fuel and oxidant fluids along the bath of reaction. The acidic wastewater was used as a fuel. It was an air-breathing cell, so air and tab water were used as oxidants. Both the fuel and tab water flowed continuously under gravity. Whatman filter paper was used for preparation of the fuel cell channel and two carbon fibre electrodes were used and firmed on the edges of the cell. The performance of the cell was examined over three consecutive days. The results indicated that the present cell has the potential to generate electric power, but an extensive study is required to harv

Treated effluent wastewater is considered an alternative water resource which can provide an important contribution for using it in different purposes, so, the wastewater quality is very important for knowing its suitability for different uses before discharging it into fresh water ecosystems. The wastewater quality index (WWQI) may be considered as a useful and effective tool to assess wastewater quality by indicating one value representing the overall characteristic of the wastewater. It could be used to indicate the suitability of wastewater for different uses in water quality management and decision making. The present study was conducted to evaluate the Al-Diwaniyah sewage treatment plant (STP) effluent quality based on wastewa

     The current research focuses on the antioxidant activity, phytochemical, and inorganic content of five common medicinal plants: Asian pigeonwings, lemon balm, lemongrass, ginger, and turmeric. According to the phytochemical screening, flavonoids were present in all plants; tannins were present in lemon balm and lemongrass, saponins were present in all plants except lemongrass, and anthraquinone glycosides were detected only in turmeric. The aqueous extracts from lemon balm, Asian pigeonwings, and the methanolic extract from turmeric had the highest phenolic content, respectively. The inorganic composition of plants was determined using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence. Asian pigeonwings, ginger and turmeric are mainly compos

The effects of using aqueous nanofluids containing covalently functionalized graphene nanoplatelets with triethanolamine (TEA-GNPs) as novel working fluids on the thermal performance of a flat-plate solar collector (FPSC) have been investigated. Water-based nanofluids with weight concentrations of 0.025%, 0.05%, 0.075%, and 0.1% of TEA-GNPs with specific surface areas of 300, 500, and 750 m2/g were prepared. An experimental setup was designed and built and a simulation program using MATLAB was developed. Experimental tests were performed using inlet fluid temperatures of 30, 40, and 50 °C; flow rates of 0.6, 1.0, and 1.4 kg/min; and heat flux intensities of 600, 800, and 1000 W/m2. The FPSC’s efficiency increased as the flow rate and hea

This paper presents a complete design and implementation of a monitoring system for the operation of the three-phase induction motors. This system is built using a personal computer and  two types of sensors (current, vibration) to detect some of the mechanical faults that may occur in the motor. The study and examination of several types of faults including (ball bearing and shaft misalignment faults) have been done through the extraction of fault data by using fast Fourier transform (FFT) technique. Results showed that the motor current signature analysis (MCSA) technique, and measurement of vibration technique have high possibility in the detection and diagnosis of most mechanical faults with high accuracy. Subsequently, diagnosi

Student dropout is a problem for both students and universities. However, in the crises that Lebanon is going through, it is becoming a serious financial problem for Lebanese private universities. To try to minimize it, it must be predicted in order to implement the appropriate actions. In this paper, a method to build the appropriate prediction system is presented. First, it generates a data source of predictor variables from student dataset collected from a faculty of economic sciences in Beirut between 2010 and 2020. Then, it will build a prediction model using data classification techniques based on identified predictor variables and validate it. Using open-source software and free cloud environments, a prediction program w

      Under high concentrations of antibiotics, a fraction of the bacterial population exhibits a phenomenon known as persistence. Toxin- system (TA system) has been reported to be involved in the formation of E. coli, Mycobacterium, and S. aureus persisters.  In this study, the ability of thirty Iraqi isolates of MRSA to form in vitro persister cells after exposure to three different antibiotics (Ceftriaxone 30 µg, Mecillinam 10 µg, and Mupirocin 20 µg) was examined by TD test. Additionally, efflux pump inhibitor [Fluphenazine 0.25 mg/ml] was combined with the antibiotic that triggered persister formation. The distribution of mazEF and yefM-yoeB (Type II TA system) in the tested isolates was detected by PCR. 91% of Mupirocin su

Background: Inflammation of the brain parenchyma brought on by a virus is known as viral encephalitis. It coexists frequently with viral meningitis and is the most prevalent kind of encephalitis. Objectives: To throw light on viral encephalitis, its types, epidemiology, symptoms and complications. Results: Although it can affect people of all ages, viral infections are the most prevalent cause of viral encephalitis, which is typically seen in young children and old people. Arboviruses, rhabdoviruses, enteroviruses, herpesviruses, retroviruses, orthomyxoviruses, orthopneumoviruses, and coronaviruses are just a few of the viruses that have been known to cause encephalitis. Conclusion: As new viruses emerge, diagnostic techniques advan