Alteration of repeat tract length within the SSR of phase variable genes may enhance the persistence of isolates within their host for a long time (a period of months) (Alamro et al.,2014). Alamro et al. (2014) showed there was trend towards selection for OFF state or low expression for five phase variable genes (opc, hmbr, nadA, nalP, hpuAB) in three carriers (V54, V124 and V64) within strains belonging into CC174 and CC167 in first, second and third time points. He concluded that the selection for low or OFF state helped N. meningitidis to persist for a long time (Alamro et al., 2014). The current study aimed to detect the alteration in the repeat tracts of the same five variable genes within the previous three carriers (V54, V124, and V6

Samples of tea leaves (Green tea, Gugarate tea and Black tea used commonly in Iraq) are dried, grinded, pressed and submitted for the elemental analysis by x-ray fluorescence technique (XRF). The concentrations of major, minor and trace elements are determined. The major elements were Na, Mg, Al, K, Si, Ca, Mn, Fe, S and P. Of these elements, Ca, concentration in Gugarate tea leaves is three times, it's level in the other types of tea. Titanium, Cl, Rb and Sr are found as minor elements, while other elements such as Cu, Zn, V, Cr, Co, ...etc are found as trace elements. Of these trace elements considerable concentration values are found for some toxic elements Hg, Cd, Pb and As. Green tea contains 1.1 ppm Hg and 4.4 ppm Pb. Gugarate tea

Objective: The aim of this work was to detect terpenes other than boswellic acid derivatives in olibanum of Boswellia Serrata found in Iraq. Methods: The olibanum of Boswellia Serrata was macerated in methanol for one day, then filtration. Filter at was concentrated till reddish brown syrupy residue was gained, (3%) potassium hydroxide was added till basification. This basic solution was stirred continuously until a uniform emulsion was formed, then extracted with chloroform in a separatory funnel; the chloroform fraction was analyzed by GC /MS spectrometry. Results: GC /MS analysis reveal the presence of terpenes and non-terpenes constituents. Conclusion: Most of the detected terpenes were sesquiterpenes and the least one was di-terpenes.

Characterization is commonly known in stylistics to be the cognitive process in the readers' minds when comprehending a fictional character in a literary work .In one approach, it is assumed that characters are the outcome of the interaction between the words in the text on the one hand and the contents of our heads on the other. This paper is an attempt to understand how characterization is achieved by applying Culpeper’s (2001) model which seems to be to present a method of analysis that is more objective and more systematic in analyzing characters. Two characters are selected for discussion; Ralph and Jack from Golding’s (1954) Lord of the Flies. The novel talks about the corruption of human beings and the capacity of evil th

The aim: to evaluate combined microscopy techniques for determining the morphological and optical properties of methadone hydrochloride (MDN) crystals. Materials and methods: MDN crystal formation was optimized using a closed container method and crystals were characterized using polarized light microscope (PLM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal microscopy (CM). SEM and CM were used to determine MDN crystal thickness and study its relationship with crystal retardation colours using the Michel-Levy Birefringence approach. Results: Dimensions (mean±SD) of diamond shaped MDN crystals were confirmed using SEM and CM. Crystals were 46.4±15.2 Vs 32.0±8.3 µm long, 28.03±8.2 Vs 20.85±5.5 µm wide, and 6.62±

Geotechnical engineers have always been concerned with the stabilization of slopes. For this purpose,
various methods such as retaining walls, piles, and geosynthetics may be used to increase the safety factor of slopes prone to failure. The application of stone columns may also be another potential alternative for slope stabilization. Such columns have normally been used for cohesive soil improvement. Most slope analysis and design is based on deterministic approach i.e a set of single valued design parameter are adopted and a set of single valued factor of safety (FOS) is determined. Usually the FOS is selected in view of the understanding and knowledge of the material parameters, the problem geometry, the method of analysis and the

A theoretical analysis of mixing in the secondary combustion chamber of ramjet is presented. Theoretical investigations were initiated to insight into the flow field of the mixing zone of the ramjet combustor and a computer program to calculate axisymmetric, reacting and inert flow was developed. The mathematical model of the mixing zone of ramjet comprises differential equations for: continuity, momentum, stagnation enthalpy, concentration, turbulence energy and its dissipation rate. The simultaneous solution of these equations by means of a finite-difference solution algorithm yields the values of the variable at all internal grid nodes.
The results showed that increasing air mass flow (0.32 to 0.64 kg/s) increases the development o

In this paper, split-plate airlift electrochemical reactor as an apparatus with new configuration for wastewater treatment was provided. Two aluminum plates were fixed inside the reactor and present two functions; first it works as split plates for internal loop generation of the airlift system (the zone between the two plates acts as riser while the other two zones act as downcomer) and second it works as two electrodes for electrocoagulation process. Simulated wastewater contaminated with zinc ions was used to test the performance of this apparatus for zinc removal by studying the effect of different experimental variables such as initial concentration of zinc (50-800 ppm), electrical current density (2.67-21.4 mA/cm²), init

The study aims at investigating the effectiveness of the Virtual Library Technology, in developing the achievement of the English Language Skills in the Center of Development and Continuous Education, in comparison with the individual learning via personal computer to investigate the students' attitude towards the use of both approaches. The population of the study includes the participants in the English Language course arranged in the Center. The sample includes 60 students who were randomly chosen from the whole population (participants in English Courses for the year 2009-2010). The sample is randomly chosen and divided into two experimental groups. The first group has learned through classroom technology; while the other group has l