A new tool geometry was used to achieve friction stir spot welding (FSSW) in which the shoulder was designed separately from the rotating pin, and in order to examine weldment strength through the modified tool, a lap joints of AA2024 aluminum alloy plate 1 mm thick were welded successfully by using 6 mm pin diameter and varying process parameters (rotational speeds, tool nose geometry, and depth of tool penetration in the lower welded plate). Experimental tests indicate that the maximum average tensile shear load was 3100 N at the best selected condition. Microstructure examination and micro hardness test along the spot zones were investigated as well as measuring pin penetration load. Visual inspection of the welded spot surface shows a g

This paper aims to investigate the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete beams considering fire resistance by adding Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregates (LECA) to the concrete mix as partial coarse aggregate replacement. LECA is a type of porous clay with a uniform pore structure with fine, closed cells and hard, tightly sintered skin. The experimental work comprised four reinforced self-compacted concrete beams. All the specimens were identical in their geometrical layout of 1600×240×200 mm, reinforcement details, and support condition (simply supported). For all the beams, the main reinforcement was provided by two bars, each having a diameter of 12 mm, while a bar of 6 mm diameter was employed for the top and shear reinforc

The effect of approaching nozzle jet from the deposition surface
on structural, optical and morphology properties of copper oxide thin
films was studied. The film was prepared by homemade fully
computerized CNC spray pyrolysis deposition technique at
preparations speed (3, 4, 5, and 6 mm/sec). The repeated line mode
was used at deposition temperature equal 450 °C whereas the
spraying time was in the range of (15-30 min) according to the
deposition speed. The film exhibit polycrystalline structure with
preferred orientation along (-111), (022) and (011), (002) at a 2θ
value of (35.63o) and (38.8o) respectively. Optical band gaps were
recorded at these speed shows variance in value from (1.53-2.08 eV).
Fi

In the present work, a set of indoor Radon concentration measurements was carried out in a number of rooms and buildings of Science College in the University of Mustansiriyah for the first time in Iraq using RAD-7 detector which is an active method for short time measuring compared with the passive method in solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD's). The results show that, the Radon concentrations values vary from 9.85±1.7 Bq.m-3 to 94.21±34.7 Bq.m-3 with an average value 53.64±26 Bq.m-3 which is lower than the recommended action level 200-300 Bq/m3 [ICRP, 2009].
The values of the annual effective dose (A.E.D) vary from 0.25 mSv/y to 2.38 mSv/y, with an average value 1.46±0.67 mSv/y which is lower than the recommended the rang

Background: the early identification of developmental disabilities allows intervention at the earliest possible point to
improve the developmental potential.
Objective: Identify the scope of knowledge of nurses toward signs of gross motor delay for children and its relation to
their demographic characteristics.
Methodology: A descriptive study design was conducted at (18) primary health care centers in first of the primary
health care sector of Alhawija District in Kirkuk Governorate. This study started from September 2010 to the end of
January 2011, in order to identify the level of nurses' knowledge toward signs of gross motor delay for children in
primary health care centers. Non probability (purposive) sample of

Background: Mitral regurgitation (MR) is the most commonly encountered valve lesion in modern clinical practice. Severe mitral regurgitation may cause systolic dysfunction. Left ventricular ejection fraction may not be an accurate measurement of LV function in patients with mitral insufficiency. Myocardial performance index (MPI) is a simple non invasive measure of myocardial function. Methods: The study involved 50 patients with valvular mitral regurgitation and 50 healthy subjects as a control group. Transthoracic echocardiography was carried out for all patients and control group. The echocardiographic measurements included left ventricular end diastolic and end systolic dimensions, left atrial diameter, ejection fraction (EF), and myoca