In order to reduce the environmental pollution associated with the conventional energy sources and to achieve the increased global energy demand, alterative and renewable sustainable energy sources need to be developed. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) represent a bio-electrochemical innovative technology for pollution control and a simultaneous sustainable energy production from biodegradable, reduced compounds. This study mainly considers the performance of continuous up flow dual-chambers MFC
fueled with actual domestic wastewater and bio-catalyzed with anaerobic aged sludge obtained from an aged septic tank. The performance of MFCs was mainly evaluated in terms of COD reductions and electrical power output. Results revealed that the COD removal efficiency up to 89% was obtained for wastewaters having an average initial COD concentration of 350 mg/L. Stabilized power outputs were clearly observed achieving a maximum value of 170 mW/ m2
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We studied at the morphology, structural setup, and optical characteristics of thin cadmium (CdSe) films a thickness of 250 nm that were created by thermal evaporation over glass, The films exhibited a hexagonal shape were crystalline, and tended to form grains in the (111) crystallographic direction, according to the X-ray diffraction examinations. These characteristics were established using the investigation's findings. Through the use of thin films of CdSe doped with Ag at a concentration of 1.5%, the crystal structure orientations for pure CdSe (25.32, 41.84) and CdSe:Ag (25.39, 41.01) that were both pure as well as those that were doped with silver were both determined. The band gap of the optical spectrum decreased by 1.93–
... Show MoreThe apoptotic activity of methionine γ- lyase from Pseudomonas putida on cancer cell lines was indicated by measuring the concentration of cytochrome c in the supernatants of cell lines. The result revealed high concentration of cytochrome c in the supernatants of cancer cell lines (RD, AMGM and AMN3) respectively while the concentration of anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2) was very low.
Zerumbone (ZER), a natural compound has been extracted from Zingiber zerumbet with known pharmacological activities. The aim was to determine the anti-human Burkitt’s lymphoma (Raji) cell effect of ZER. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5,-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to determine cytotoxic effect while the Annexin-V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide-PI flow cytometric assays was used to determine apoptotic effect of ZER on the human Burkitt’s lymphoma (Raji) cell (ATCC CCL-86) cell line. The expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, and c-Myc genes were determined via real-time PCR. ZER suppressed the proliferation of Raji cells with a 48 h IC50 value of 5.1 μg/mL. Treated Raji cells also underwen
... Show MoreAbstract Aim: Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder which affects communication and social interaction of children. It is a heterogeneous disease with various clinical presentations. Some genes are involved in its pathogenesis. It has been suggested that environmental exposure to lead can increase the risk of autism. The aim of our study was to compare blood lead levels among autistic and non-autistic children. Material and Method: This retrospective study included 107 children (60 with autism and 47 without autism) referred from the different Iraqi provinces, in the years 2015, 2016 and 2017, to the poisoning consultation center in Baghdad. Data collection including age, gender, residence, referral source, family history and blood lead l
... Show MoreWorldwide, hundreds of millions of people have been infected with COVID-19 since December 2019; however, about 20% or less developed severe symptoms. The main aim of the current study was to assess the relationship between the severity of Covid-19 and different clinical and laboratory parameters. A total number of 466 Arabs have willingly joined this prospective cohort. Out of the total number, 297 subjects (63.7%) had negative COVID-19 tests, and thus, they were recruited as controls, while 169 subjects (36.3%) who tested positive for COVID-19 were enrolled as cases. Out of the total number of COVID-19 patients, 127 (75.15%) presented with mild symptoms, and 42 (24.85%) had severe symptoms. The age range for the partic
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