Al-Mustansiriyah Journal of Science

Background: Youth unemployment presents a significant
threat to Nigeria’s socioeconomic stability, resulting in widespread issues such
as poverty, insecurity, banditry, inequality, and robbery. Objective: In this
paper, mathematical modelling for the control of unemployment in Nigeria
incorporating vocational education and apprenticeship was formulated. The
model equilibrium points were obtained and the local stability analysis was carried
out. Methods: The basic reproduction number Re was computed using
the Next Generation Matrix technique and used to determine whether unemployment
will persist or be eradicated in Nigeria. Sensitivity analysis was
carried out to determine the most sensitive parameters. Results: Numerical
simulations were presented in a graphical form to show the effects of sensitive
parameters on the reproduction number. The stability analysis shows that unemployment
will be eradicated in Nigeria if Re ≤ 1. It was revealed from the
sensitivity analysis that the theoretical education graduate employment rate,
γ is the most sensitive parameter with −0.9883 and the rate of transition of
becoming highly skilled due to vocational education, β is the least sensitive
parameter with −0.0409. Conclusions: It was shown from the sensitivity
analysis and the graphical presentation that the theoretical education graduate
employment rate, γ is the most sensitive negative parameter which will
decrease the reproduction number. This implies that when employment is created
for the graduates from the higher institutions the unemployment rate will
reduce drastically from the society. It is recommended that the government and
the private sector owners should create more job for the graduates. Optimal
control analysis is recommended for future research to determine the minimal
cost for the increase graduate employment rate and motivation of vocational
education

Background: There is great interest in developing plantbased
nanoparticles due to their unique chemical and physical properties, which
make them an excellent alternative to chemical drugs that fight bacteria and
protect cells from damage. Objective: Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles
using cinnamon, characterization and evaluation of them as antioxidants, and
investigation of their effect on the HepG-2 cell line. Methods: The study
involved the green synthesis of Ag NPs/cinnamon, its characterization using
XRD, TEM, and GC-MS techniques, and the evaluation of its activity as DPPH
antioxidants as well as activity against the HepG-2 cell line. Results: During
analysis, it was found that the diameter of the nanoparticles ranged from approximately
19 to 100 nm. The results indicated that the crystal sizes ranged
from 12.68 to 29.76 nm, with an average crystal size of 22.335 nm. Cinnamon
contains 25 chemical compounds with high antioxidant activity, such
as 3-phenyl-(cinnamaldehyde), coumarin, cis-calamine, trans-calamine, oleic
acid, (Z)-9-octadecenoic acid, and octadecenoic-9-enoic acid. The nanoparticles
inhibited 62% of free radicals, confirming that Ag NPs/cinnamon has
good free radical scavenging activity at low concentrations and can function as
antioxidants. The results showed that Ag NPs/cinnamon induced greater damage
to HepG-2 hepatocytes than to HFF hepatocytes. At a concentration of 1
mg/ml, silver nanoparticles inhibited cytotoxicity and increased cell viability.
Compared with the control group (HFF), the IC50 value was 48.41 mg/ml, and
the toxicity was 105.1 mg/ml, respectively. Conclusions: Silver nanoparticles
combined with cinnamon exhibited significant antioxidant properties, indicating
their potential as promising free radical scavengers. Additionally, the
synthesized Ag NPs/Cinnamon exhibited notable activity against the HepG-2
cell line.

Background: Bacterial infections, particularly those in
medical devices such as urinary catheters, are a significant clinical challenge
due to structural differences between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria
influencing their susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. As antibiotic
resistance increases, core/shell nanoparticles are being explored as potential
alternatives. Objective: This study investigates the antibiofilm properties of
MgO/ZnO and CuO/ZnO nanoparticles at concentrations of 10 and 40 μg/mL,
respectively, against common bacterial pathogens, specifically Klebsiella pneumoniae,
Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, and their potential to
sterilize urinary catheters. Methods: A 96-well microtiter plate was used to
determine sublethal dosage levels (Sub-MIC) and minimum inhibitory concentrations
(MIC) to evaluate antibacterial activity. Antibiofilm performance was
evaluated by measuring biofilm reduction, while antiadhesion assays were conducted
on urinary catheters to determine the ability of nanoparticles to prevent
E. coli attachment. Results: The nanoparticles exhibited strain-dependent antibacterial
effects. S. aureus and showed high sensitivity to CuO/ZnO NPs,
while E. coli and K. pneumoniae were less susceptible. Notably, Gram-negative
pneumococci demonstrated resistance to MgO/ZnO and CuO/ZnO nanoparticles.
In terms of biofilm inhibition, MgO/ZnO NPs were slightly more effective
against S. aureus and E. coli, whereas CuO/ZnO NPs showed superior activity
against K. pneumoniae. Biofilm formation was reduced by up to 56.32%
at sub-MIC concentrations. In catheter adhesion assays, MgO/ZnO NPs inhibited
E. coli adhesion by 64.59%, compared to 60.92% for CuO/ZnO NPs.
This development refers to the effective adhesion of CuO/ZnO NPs to the
catheter surface. The study also presented an efficient, feasible and simple procedure
of coatings of MgO/ZnO and CuO/ZnO NPs to prevent biofilm adhesion
to catheter surfaces. Conclusions: MgO/ZnO and CuO/ZnO nanoparticles
demonstrated potent anti-biofilm activity, inhibiting bacterial growth, biofilm
formation, and catheter adhesion. However, more research is needed on cytotoxicity,
biocompatibility, and long-term effects.

Background:Cancer remains a major global health burdenthat significantly affects human populations. The ongoing need for innovativetherapeutic strategies to both manage and prevent this life-threatening dis-ease is paramount. The quest for creative and less toxic cancer therapieshas led to a vast exploration of plant-derived compounds.Objective:Thisstudy investigated the anticancer potential of phytochemicals extracted fromAntiaris africana (A. africana), a traditional medicinal plant used in eth-nomedicine in West Africa, through molecular docking studies.Methods:Thestem bark extract, prepared via maceration with methanol, was analyzed bygas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), revealing 36 bioactive com-pounds. In silico evaluations, including molecular docking, ADME prediction,and toxicity assessments, were carried out to identify inhibitory effects oncyclin-dependent kinases 8 (CDK8) and 13 (CDK13), key regulators of can-cer progression.Results:GC-MS analysis of the methanolic extract of A.africana revealed 36 phytochemicals with possible anticancer potential. No-table phytochemicals, such as bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and campesterol, ex-hibited significant binding affinities to CDK8 and CDK13, with high Glidescores and favorable pharmacokinetic profiles, adhering to Lipinski’s five rule.ADME analyzes highlighted the druglikness and minimal toxicity of the com-pound, supporting its potential as an orally bioavailable therapeutic. In sil-ico studies revealed bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, 2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyl-tetracosa-2,10,14,18,22-pentaene-6,7-diol and 3-12-formyl-digoxigenin as leadcompounds, which offered promising insights into the anticancer potential of thecompounds.Conclusions:This study underscores A. africana as a promis-ing source of lead compounds for targeted cancer therapies. Further in vitroand in vivo studies are recommended to validate these findings and explore thetherapeutic landscape of these bioactive molecules.

Background: Iraq experienced a severe dust event that occurred
in mid-May 2022, disrupting daily life with adverse health impacts.
Objective: This study aims to investigate the triggering weather systems,
and examine the variations in meteorological factors during the event with a
specific focus on Basrah station in southern Iraq. Methods: Ground-based
meteorological observations and satellite imagery. In addition to the atmospheric
composition forecast data from the copernicus atmosphere monitoring
service (CAMS), including meteorological and optical properties for different
levels. Applying statistical evaluations for CAMS data against observed data,
including correlation coefficients, coefficient of determination, and error metrics
(MBE and MAE). Results: The dust event was driven by a deep upper air
cut-off low over the eastern Mediterranean region, coinciding with a southern
intrusion of the polar jet stream. This situation led to baroclinic instability and
the developing frontal cyclonic system over southern Turkey, Syria, Jordan,
western Iraq to northern Saudi Arabia. Satellite images showed dense dust
clouds swept and transported towards the east and southeast due to the front
passage, which is simulated well in the CAMS model with a value exceeding 2.5
of optical depth. In Basrah station, the dust event led to a notable reduction
in visibility, lower temperature by 4° C, and surface solar radiation of 15%.
Wind speed, extinction coefficient, and humidity levels increase by about 2.2,
2, and 1.4 times respectively. 12% reduction in boundary layer height during
daytime hours of a dust event, and an 8% increment during nighttime. The
statistical assessment shows a strong correlation for temperature and humidity,
moderate for wind speed, and weak for wind direction. The model overestimates
temperature and wind direction, while underestimating humidity and
wind speed. Errors are low for most variables but notably higher for wind direction.
Conclusions: The May 2022 dust event was driven by a deep frontal
cyclone, reaching central and southern Iraq, in which Basrah station witnessed
reduced visibility, lower temperature and solar radiation, and increased wind
speed, humidity, and extinction coefficient. Boundary layer height decreased
during the day and rose at night, highlighting the atmospheric instability during
the event.