Phthalates are ubiquitous environmental contaminants widely used as plasticizers in poly vinyl chloride products, and growing evidence implicates them in metabolic activity reduction and epigenetic dysregulation. However, their direct effects on non-transformed human cells remain incompletely characterized. The present in vitro study evaluated the reduction in cell viability and DNA methylation–modulating effects of three widely distributed phthalates, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), and di-isononyl phthalate (DINP), on normal human fibroblast (NHF) cells. Cells were exposed to serial concentrations (31.25–1000 μg/mL) for 72 h, and the viability was assessed by MTT assay, followed by IC50 determinati

Virtual reality, VR, offers many benefits to technical education, including the delivery of information through multiple active channels, the addressing of different learning styles, and experiential-based learning. This paper presents work performed by the authors to apply VR to engineering education, in three broad project areas: virtual robotic learning, virtual mechatronics laboratory, and a virtual manufacturing platform. The first area provides guided exploration of domains otherwise inaccessible, such as the robotic cell components, robotic kinematics and work envelope.  The second promotes mechatronics learning and guidance for new mechatronics engineers when dealing with robots in a safe and interactive manner. And the thir

In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using a cold plasma technique and a plasma jet. They were then used to explore how photothermal treatment may be used to treat lung cancer (A549) and normal cells (REF) <i>in vitro</i>. The anti-proliferative activity of these nanoparticles was studied after A549 cells were treated with (AgNPs) at various concentrations (100&#37;, 50&#37;, or 25&#37;) and exposure times (6 or 8 min) of laser after 1 h or 24 h from exposed AgNPs. The highest growth inhibition for cancer cells is (75&#37;) at (AgNPs) concentration (100&#37;) and the period of exposure to the laser is (8 min). Particle size for the prepared samples varied according to the diameter o

To study the site of placentae and the umbilical artery blood flow of different age groupsand relate that to the newborn baby and the mother. 117 placentae samples were investigatedusing ultrasound and 30 placentae samples were studied using Doppler ultrasound during theperiod from August 2007 to August 2008 for full term placentae of mothers aged 15- > 45 yearsold. By ultrasound; there was detection of good pe rcentage of the placental site to be on theposterior wall of the uterus in case of male babies, while it was anterior in case of female babiesand it was previa and fundal in females more than in the males. The Doppler ultrasound revealedthat the mother in any age group can conceive and have a healthy placenta because the readings ina

The aim of the present research is concerned with study the effect of UV radiation on the optical properties at wavelengths 254, 365 nm of pure PC and anthracene doping PC films prepared using the cast method for different doping ratio 10-60 mL. Films of pure PC and anthracene doping PC were aged under UV radiation for periods of up to 360 h. It found that the effect of UV radiation at wavelength 254 nm on the optical properties is great than the effect of UV radiation at wavelength 365 nm. Also, it found that the optical energy gap of pure PC and anthracene doping PC films is stable against radiation.

This work is concerned with the study of the effect of cement types, particularly OPC and SRPC, which are the main cement types manufactured in Iraq. In addition, study the effect of mineral admixtures, which are HRM and SF on the resistance of high performance concrete (HPC) to internal sulphate attack. The HRM is used at (10%) and SF is used at (8 and 10)% as a partial replacement by weight of cement for both types. The percentages of sulphate investigated are (1,2 and 3)% by adding natural gypsum as a partial replacement by weight of fine aggregate. The tests carried out in this work are: compressive strength, flexural strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and density at the age of 7, 28, 90 and 120 days.

The r

The pure and Sb doped GeSe thin films have been prepared by thermal flash evaporation technique. Both the structural and optical measurement were carried out for as deposited and annealed films at different annealing temperatures.XRD spectra revealed that the all films have one significant broad amorphous peak except for pure GeSe thin film which annealed at 573 K, it has sharp peak belong to orthorhombic structure nearly at 2θ=33o. The results of the optical studies showed that the optical transition is direct and indirect allowed. The energy gap in general increased with increasing annealing temperature and decreased with increase the ratio of Sb dopant. The optical parameters such as refractive index, extinction coefficient and real and