BACKGROUND: The primary cause of blindness in diabetics is diabetic retinopathy (DR), the most common microvascular complication of diabetes, and visual impairment. Visfatin is an adipocytokine that aids in insulin activity during gestational diabetes and pregnancy.

AIM: This study aimed to estimate serum visfatin levels in DR, proliferative (PDR), non-proliferative (NPDR), and healthy subjects (HS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 120-patient case-control study with a history of T2DM for more than 5 years as well as 30 healthy subjects enrolled in the study. Patients group divided into three sub-groups, DM, PDR, and NPDR. Visfatin levels w

The main objective of this study is to describe the preparation of topographic maps using the Surfer software. A total of 159 regularly distributed Ground Control Points (GCPs) were collected with the use of the Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS). Seven methods (Contour Map, Post Map, 3D Surface Map, 3D Wireframe Maps, Grid Vector-1 Map, Color Relief Map, and Shaded Relief Maps) at the Surfer environment were used to prepare the topographic maps at the Mukhtar Village near the Al-Fallujah City. Contour lines with other features were superimposed on the DEM layer, which refers to the topography of the terrain inside this study area. The accuracy of the database's results was estimated, essential maps were given, and the re

This study investigates asset returns within the Iraq Stock Exchange by employing both the Fama-MacBeth regression model and the Fama-French three-factor model. The research involves the estimation of cross-sectional regressions wherein model parameters are subject to temporal variation, and the independent variables function as proxies. The dataset comprises information from the first quarter of 2010 to the first quarter of 2024, encompassing 22 publicly listed companies across six industrial sectors. The study explores methodological advancements through the application of the Single Index Model (SIM) and Kernel Weighted Regression (KWR) in both time series and cross-sectional analyses. The SIM outperformed the K

The current research deals with thought and emotion and their role in interior design, and in the firstchapter, the research problem was identified through contemplation and an extensive study of theextent of the possibility of representing thought and emotion and shedding light on them according towhat the research seeks to express, which theorizations in the field of interior design have not beenexposed to. The importance of the research was manifested in being a cognitive addition to researchersin the field of interior design in the College of Fine Arts and its corresponding colleges, to benefit from ascientific material that is unique in dealing with the terms of thought and emotion in designs for publicinterior spaces by studying the d

This study examines the structural performance of concrete-encased pultruded Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) I-sections with shear connections. It specifically focuses on how different parameters affect the latter’s ductility, flexural strength, and load-carrying capacity. The key variables studied include various shear connector types, spacing, and geometries, as well as the compressive strength of concrete and the properties of GFRP. The finite element modeling and experimental validation show that the shear connectors significantly improve the ductility, ultimate capacity, and load transmission efficiency. The present review emphasizes that the shear connectors greatly enhance the structural performance when they are prop

This study investigates the influence of five nanomaterials nano-alumina (NA), nano-silica (NS), nano-titanium (NT), nano-zinc oxide (NZ), and carbon nanotubes (CNT)on enhancing the fatigue resistance of asphalt binders. NA, NS, and NT were incorporated at dosages of 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10%, while NZ and CNT were added at 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%. A series of physical, rheological, and performance-based tests were conducted, including penetration, softening point, ductility, and rotational viscosity. Based on the outcomes of the overall desirability evaluation, the first three dosages of each nanomaterial were selected for further testing due to their superior workability and binder flexibility. Subsequent investigations included the high-tem

Hand gestures are currently considered one of the most accurate ways to communicate in many applications, such as sign language, controlling robots, the virtual world, smart homes, and the field of video games. Several techniques are used to detect and classify hand gestures, for instance using gloves that contain several sensors or depending on computer vision. In this work, computer vision is utilized instead of using gloves to control the robot's movement. That is because gloves need complicated electrical connections that limit user mobility, sensors may be costly to replace, and gloves can spread skin illnesses between users. Based on computer vision, the MediaPipe (MP) method is used. This method is a modern method that is discover