This study investigates the characterization and mechanical performance of Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) mixtures modified with two types of polymers: styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) and high-molecular-weight polyethylene (PE). Neat asphalt cement PG 64-16 was modified using a higher content of SBS and PE at concentrations of 6%, 7%, and 8% by weight of asphalt through the dry blending method to produce Highly Modified Asphalts (HiMA). The physical and rheological properties of the modified binders were evaluated using penetration, softening point, rotational viscosity, and dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) tests. Also, their phase compatibility and morphological changes were evaluated using the storage stability testing and scanning electron

BACKGROUND: HLA-B27 can effect clinical presentation and course of ankylosing spondylitis. Different detection techniques of HLA-B27 are available with variable sensitivities and specificities. OBJECTIVE: To compare serologic and molecular diagnostic techniques of detecting HLA-B27 status and to correlate it with some clinical variables among ankylosing spondylitis patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 83 Iraqi patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Clinical and laboratory evaluations were reported. HLA-B27 status was determined in all patients by real-time PCR using HLA-B27 RealFast™ kit; ELISA method was used as well to detect soluble serum HLA-B27 antigens using Human Leukocyte Antigen® kit. RESULTS:

4-methylaniline and its Schiff base derivative were intercalated into the Bentonite clay interlayers in a solid state reaction followed by a condensation reaction to produce two organo-clay composites. X-ray diffraction was used to identify the changes in basal spacing of montmorillonite layers which exhibited noticeable alteration before and after the formation of the composites. FT-IR spectra, on the other hand, were utilized for identifying the structural compositions of the prepared materials as well as the formation of the intercalated Schiff base derivative. The surface morphology of the composites was examined by Scanning Electron Microscopy SEM and Atomic Force Microscope AFM, which reflected some differences in the surface of prepa

Near-ideal p-CdS/n-Si heterojunction band edge lineup has been investigated for the first time with aid of I-V and C-V measurements. The heterojunction was manufactured by deposition of CdS films prepared by chemical spray pyrolysis technique (CSP) on monocrystalline n-type silicon. The experimental data of the conduction band offset Ec and valence band offset Ec were compared with theoretical values. The band offset Ec=530meV and Ev=770meV obtained at 300K. The energy band diagram of p-CdS/n-Si HJ was constructed. C-V measurements depict that the junction was an abrupt type and the built-in voltage was determined from C-2-V plot

During COVID-19, wearing a mask was globally mandated in various workplaces, departments, and offices. New deep learning convolutional neural network (CNN) based classifications were proposed to increase the validation accuracy of face mask detection. This work introduces a face mask model that is able to recognize whether a person is wearing mask or not. The proposed model has two stages to detect and recognize the face mask; at the first stage, the Haar cascade detector is used to detect the face, while at the second stage, the proposed CNN model is used as a classification model that is built from scratch. The experiment was applied on masked faces (MAFA) dataset with images of 160x160 pixels size and RGB color. The model achieve

In this work involved prepared of several new 1-cyclopentene-1,2-dicarboxylimide linked to oxadiazole and benzothiazole moiety were synthesized by two steps: The first step 2-amino-substituted-1,3,4-oxadiazoles and substituted-2-aminobenzothiazole were reaction with 1-cyclopentene-1,2-dicarboxyl anhydride producing N-( 5- substituted-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-yl)-1-cyclopentene-1,2-dicarboxyl amic acids and N-(Substitutedbenzothiazole-2-yl)-1-cyclopentene-1,2-dicarboxyl amic acids which in turn were dehydrated in the second step via fusion method to afford he desirable N-(5-substituted-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-yl)-1-cyclopentene-1,2-dicarboxylimides and N-(Substituted benzothiazole-2-yl)1-cyclopentene-1,2-dicarboxylimides respectively. Struct

Sewer systems are used to convey sewage and/or storm water to sewage treatment plants for disposal by a network of buried sewer pipes, gutters, manholes and pits. Unfortunately, the sewer pipe deteriorates with time leading to the collapsing of the pipe with traffic disruption or clogging of the pipe causing flooding and environmental pollution. Thus, the management and maintenance of the buried pipes are important tasks that require information about the changes of the current and future sewer pipes conditions. In this research, the study was carried on in Baghdad, Iraq and two deteriorations model's multinomial logistic regression and neural network deterioration model NNDM are used to predict sewers future conditions. The results of the

Hashimoto Thyroiditis (HT) is the most common autoimmune thyroid disease and the commonest cause ofhypothyroidism. C-reactive protein (CRP) is synthesized in hepatocyte in response to autoimmune disorders;strongly induced by IL-6. This study aimed to estimate serum IL-6 and CRP levels in autoimmune and non-autoimmune hypothyroidism. The present study included 60 Iraqi female hypothyroid patients divided to 30autoimmune and 30 non-autoimmune, with age ranged between 24-50 years and 30 healthy controls withage ranged between 27-52 years. Serum samples were collected from study groups. The levels of thyroidhormones (TSH, T4 and T3) were determined by using automated Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA)analysis system. Detection the levels of t

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Background: Lateral sinus augmentation and simultaneous insertion of dental implants is a highlypredictable procedure and associated with high rate of implants success.Aims: To evaluate implant stability changes following maxillary sinus augmentation utilizing deproteinizedbovine bone alone or mixed with platelet-rich fibrin.Materials and Methods: A total of 34 lateral sinus augmentation procedures were performed and 50 dentalimplants simultaneously installed. The lateral sinus augmentation cases were allocated randomly into 3groups: Group A comprised 13 procedures and 21 dental implants utilizing solely deproteinized bovine bone.Group B involved 10 cases and 16 dental implants using deproteinized bovine bone mixed with leukocyteand