Background. To identify the most common retention protocols practiced by Iraqi orthodontists using a specially designed e-survey. Furthermore, this study aimed to assess the effect of sociodemographic factors on the participant’s choice. Methods. Two hundred and twenty-five questionnaires with 23 multiple choice questions were sent to members of the Iraqi Orthodontic Society. The questionnaire was organized into four sections representing information about sociodemographic status of the orthodontists, factors affecting the selection of the retention system, commonly used retainers in the upper arch and lower arch, and duration of the retention system. The chi-square test was used to test the significant association between differe

The dependable and efficient identification of Qin seal script characters is pivotal in the discovery, preservation, and inheritance of the distinctive cultural values embodied by these artifacts. This paper uses image histograms of oriented gradients (HOG) features and an SVM model to discuss a character recognition model for identifying partial and blurred Qin seal script characters. The model achieves accurate recognition on a small, imbalanced dataset. Firstly, a dataset of Qin seal script image samples is established, and Gaussian filtering is employed to remove image noise. Subsequently, the gamma transformation algorithm adjusts the image brightness and enhances the contrast between font structures and image backgrounds. After a s

Abstract-Industrial and urban development has resulted in the spread of plastic waste and the increase in the emissions of carbon dioxide resulting from the cement manufacturing process. The current research aims to produce green (environmentally friendly) concrete by using plastic waste as coarse aggregates in different proportions (10% and 20%) and nano silica sand powder as an alternative to cement in different proportions (5% and 10% by weight). The results showed that compressive strength decreased by 12.10% and 19.23% for 10% and 20% plastic waste replacement and increased by 12.89% and 20.39% for 5% and 10% silica sand replacement respectively at 28 days. Flexural strength decreased by 12.95% and 19.64% for 10% and 20% plastic waste

A variety of liquid crystals comprising heterocyclics 1,3,4-oxadiazol ring [III], aminooxazol [IV]a, and aminothiazol [IV]b were synthesized through a number of steps, beginning of the reaction of 3, 3'- dimethyl - [1, 1'-biphenyl] -4, 4'- diamin, ethyl monochloroacetate and sodium acetate to synthesize diacetate compound[I]. The diester reacted with hydrazine hydrate(N2H4-H2O) to give dihydrazide compound [II], then reacted with Pyruvic acid and phosphorous oxychloride to produce diketone compound [III]. The last compound was reacted with urea and thiourea to give aminooxazol and aminothiazol respectively. The synthesized compounds actually characterized and determined the structures by melting points, FT-IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopies. By u

The evolution of cryptography has been crucial to preservation subtle information in the digital age. From early cipher algorithms implemented in earliest societies to recent cryptography methods, cryptography has developed alongside developments in computing field. The growing in cyber threats and the increase of comprehensive digital communications have highlighted the significance of selecting effective and robust cryptographic techniques. This article reviews various cryptography algorithms, containing symmetric key and asymmetric key cryptography, via evaluating them according to security asset, complexity, and execution speed. The main outcomes demonstrate the growing trust on elliptic curve cryptography outstanding its capabi

This study delves into the design optimization of a hydropower harvesting system, exploring various parameters and their influence on system performance. By modifying the variables within the model to suit different flow conditions, a judiciously optimized design is attainable. Notably, the lift force generated is found to be intricately linked to the strategic interplay of the bluff body's location, cylinder dimensions, and flow velocity. The findings culminate in the establishment of empirical equations, one for lift force and another for displacement, based on the force equation. Many energy harvesting approaches hinge on the reciprocating motion inherent to the structural system. The methodology developed in this study emerges as a pot

The lipid profile and adipokines of an adolescent may be affected by some parasite infections. Recently, it has been discovered that these parasites are connected to body mass index (BMI), lipids and adipokines. The current study, therefore, aimed to specify how Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) affect BMI, lipid profile and adipokines. This study was conducted in Al Madain hospital, Baghdad from October to December 2022. An ELISA test was performed to examine the anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM for a group of adolescents attending the hospital. Based on this examination ninety adolescents were chosen to be involved in the study. They were separated in to two groups: individuals who tested positive for the parasite (n=45) and those who teste