Background Several studies have addressed the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), among Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients in different countries, and the potential association between the infection and PD; the results of these studies were conflicting. The study aims to investigate the prevalence of Toxoplasma infection among sample of Iraqi PD patients. Also, to examine the potential association of age, PD duration, gender, smoking habit, zone of residence and family history of PD, with the prevalence of Toxoplasma infection in PD patients.

Patients and Methods Seventy-four PD patients attaining Dr. Saad Al-Witry Neuroscience Hospital in Baghdad/ Ir

Forty-eight aborted women (Iraqi Arab Muslims) at the first trimester with a serological evidence of toxoplasmosis were investigated. Two age- and ethnic-matched control groups were included: 40 aborted women due to accidental events (Control I), and 40 unmarried (virgin) women (Control II). The subjects were evaluated for the following parameters: HLA-class I antigens (A, B and Cw), blood groups, total and differential counts of leukocytes, lymphocyte subpopulations (CD3+, CD4+ and CD20+ cells), phagocytosis of heat-killed yeast (phagocytic index and NBT index), and total serum levels of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG and IgM) and complement components (C3 and C4). The HLA-A2 and -Cw8 antigens were significantly increased in the patien

Efficient cuttings transport and hole cleaning are very important factors for obtaining an effective drilling operation. In an inclined and horizontal drilling, hole cleaning issue is a common and complex problem.

   The scope of this research is to study the drilling parameters which affect hole cleaning in Iraqi directional wells through studying and analyzing some drilled wells ( vertical , directional (30 degree) , directional (60 degree) and horizontal ).An excel sheet is prepared to calculate carrying capacity index which represents an indicator for good hole cleaning in different sections. The study indicated through the field investigations, practical experiences and theoretical calculations tha

This paper study two stratified quantile regression models of the marginal and the conditional varieties. We estimate the quantile functions of these models by using two nonparametric methods of smoothing spline (B-spline) and kernel regression (Nadaraya-Watson). The estimates can be obtained by solve nonparametric quantile regression problem which means minimizing the quantile regression objective functions and using the approach of varying coefficient models. The main goal is discussing the comparison between the estimators of the two nonparametric methods and adopting the best one between them

This research aims to investigate the effect of four types of nanomaterial on the Marshall properties and durability of warm mix asphalt (WMA). These types are; nano silica(NS), nano carbonate calcium (NCC), nano clay(NC), and nanoplatelets (NP). For each type of Nanomaterial, three contents are tried as following; NS(1%, 3%, and 5%), NCC(2%, 4%, and 6%), NC(3%, 5%, and 7%), and NP (2%, 4%, and 6%) by weight of asphalt cement. Following Marhsall mix design method, the optimum asphalt cement content is determined, thereafter the optimum dosage for each nanomaterial is obtained based on the highest Marshall stability value. The durability of the control mix (no nanomaterial) and modified mixtures have been compared based on moisture damage, r

The response of the combustor’s liner to the air-flow that passes through it is the key reason for the combustion chambers noise, hence the instabilities of those chambers that decreases the mechanical efficiency of such sections, by increased its mechanical vibrations, which increases the failure rate created during originating of the cracks spreading by the shakes producing by the series of high-level frequencies. Accordingly, any work debating the impact of the context of liners in the combustion chamber can provide grasping for the combustion noise generated by the undesirable vibrations, and benefits the industrial firms to design an ideal production procedure which increases the lifespan of the combustor. The goal of this work is

Dyspepsia is a significant public health issue that affects the entire world population. In this work, we formulate and analyze a deterministic model for the population dynamics of Gut bacteria in the presence of antibiotics and Probiotic supplements. All the possible equilibria and their local stability are obtained. The global stability around the positive equilibrium point is established. Numerical simulations back up our analytical findings and show the temporal dynamics of gut microorganisms.

Abstract

    In order to enhance the efficiency of flat plate solar water collectors without changing in its original shape and with low additional cost, twisted strips are inserted inside its riser pipes. Three flat plate collectors are used for test. Family of twisted strips are inserted inside each collector risers with different twisted ratios (T_R=3,4,5). The collectors are connected in parallel mode (Z-Configuration) and are exposed to the same conditions (solar radiation and ambient temperature) .The experimental results show that, the highest heat transfer rate occurs at twisted ratio (3) .Consequently, for the same twisted ratio the daily efficiencies for the solar collector at d

Carbides or nitrides thin films present materials with good mechanical properties for industrial applications as they can be coatings at low temperatures serve temperature sensitive surfaces. In this work the effect of the C percentage on the mechanical properties represented by the Young modulus (E) of combinatorial magnetron sputtered TiC_x (34%x˂65%) has been studied. The structure of the produced films is TiC independent on the C concentration. The mechanical properties are increased with increasing the C concentration up to 50%, and then decreasing with further C % increasing. These results can be explained by considering the resultant residual stresses.