Iraqi Journal of Science

The adsorption of fexofenadine drug by activated charcoal powder impregnated
with hydrogen peroxide (IAC) to improve its surface properties was investigated.
The investigation also aimed to assess the effect of the repeated dose in increasing
the amount of the drug adsorbed. The powder activated charcoal was impregnated
with H2O2 3%. The effects of pH of the solution, concentration of the drug and time
of the reaction parameters were investigated by using UV-Vis spectroscopy. The
IAC was brought in contact with the drug solution in different pH (2, 4, 7 and 9),
drug concentrations (30, 60, 90 and 120 μg ml-1) and time (15, 30, 45 and 60
minutes). After each experiment, a repeated dose of IAC was introduced into the
solution and the adsorption process was repeated. The results showed that the
amounts of the drug adsorbed were decreased with increasing the pH and increased
with increasing the concentration of solution and time of contact. The adsorption
capacity was enhanced to about 70% after the addition of the repeated dose. The
study showed a spectrum displacement toward the blue region (blue shift) for the
drug supernatant in all experiment parameters, which was almost doubled when a
repeated dose was added.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were biosynthesized using the cell free supernatant of
putative probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei A26. Several biological activities of
biogenic AgNPs were investigated in respect to in vitro anti-oxidant and anti-tumor
potentials. Anti-oxidant potentials were screened in terms of free radical scavenging
activity against two free radicals, 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and
resazurin dye. AgNPs exhibited a potent scavenging activity against resazurin dye
(91±0.046%) with an EC50 concentration of 146.823 μg/ml, while scavenging of
DPPH was significantly (P≤0.05) reduced to 72.330±0.114% using a higher EC50
concentration of 176.12 μg/ml. The anti-tumor potentials of biogenic AgNPs were
studied in relation to the cytotoxicity against two human breast cancer cell lines
(CAL-51 and MCF7), using crystal violet dye assay. The viability of AgNPs-treated
cancerous cells was significantly decreased in a time- and concentration manner, as
compared to insignificant cytotoxic effects against the normal cell line. However,
the anti-proliferative activity of AgNPs did not exceed the value of 63.85±0.019% in
both cancer cell lines. CAL-51 cells were the most sensitive to the introduced
AgNPs, with a maximum decrease in viability of 49.889±0.021% being reached
using an IC50 value of 98.65μg/ml for 48h exposure time. The inhibition percentage
was increased to 60.13±0.005% when the used IC50 value was significantly declined
to 40.73μg/ml with an exposure time expanded to 72h. MCF7 cells showed lower
sensitivity than CAL-51 cells, but with a similar inhibition trend of 59.523±0.01%
with an IC50 concentration of 66.54 μg/ml for 48h which was increased to
63.857±0.019% when the IC50 was reduced to 62.63 μg/ml and the exposure time
expanded to 72h. The morphological changes of AgNPs-treated cells were apparent
at 72h exposure time, with cells showing apoptotic-like features such as shrinkage
and losing of regular fusiform shape. Moreover, cells became detached to surfaces
and from each other.

Probit analysis is a type of regression used to analyze the relationship between a
stimulus and the quantal response. Allelopathy refers to direct or indirect negative or
positive effects of one plant on another through the release of chemical compounds
into the environment. This study was carried out to apply probit analysis in
investigating the allelopathic effects of the leaves aqueous extracts of apple of
Sodom [Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.] on the inhibition of seed germination of
African rattlebox (Crotalaria saltiana Andr.). Laboratory experiments were carried
out at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, Sudan, in season
2014/15. Ten concentrations (2.3, 4.6, 7.0, 9.3, 11.6, 13.9, 16.2, 18.5, 20.8 and 23.2
g/l) of leaves aqueous extract of apple of Sodom were prepared from a stock
solution (50 g / l). A control with sterilized-distilled water was included for
comparison. Treatments were arranged in completely randomized design with four
replicates. The seeds were examined for inhibition in germination at three days after
initial germination. Collected data were transformed using Abbott’s formula and
subjected to probit analysis procedure (P  0.5). The results showed that the leaves
aqueous extract of apple of Sadom had allelopathic on seed germination of African
rattlebox with a direct positive relationship between concentration (g/l) and
inhibition (%). Also, the data indicated that the plotting of corrected inhibition (%)
against concentration (%) formed a sigmoid curve. Probit analysis transformed the
sigmoid concentration-response curve to a straight line. Hence, the LC25 (2.16 g/l),
LC50 (8.55 g/l) and LC75 (33.88 g/l) were accurately estimated. It is concluded that
probit analysis is an appropriate procedure to study the allelopathy phenomenon.

The present study aimed to determine the impacts of Aspirin drug on the stomach
of albino Swiss mice. The study sample included 10 male mice divided into 2
groups. The first group was orally administered with 0.1 mL of 0.75 mg/kg aspirin
once daily, whereas the second group, the control, was treated with similar doses of
distilled water. Following 60 days of successive treatment, a number of parameters
was studied including difference in body weight and histopathological changes in
the stomach as diagnosed after histological preparation. The results showed a
significant decrease (p<0.05) in body weight average of the treated mice compared
with the control group. The results also revealed the occurrence of several
histopathological changes in the stomach of treated animals, including raptures in
the epithelium lining, congestion in the muscular layer, and vasodilation. In
addition, alterations such as hemorrhage, pyknosis in muscle cells, sloughing of the
lining of the muscular layer, and external bleeding were observed. It can be
concluded from these results that orally administered aspirin exerts negative effects
on the stomach in mice.

Nowadays, the use of medicinal plants is being practiced at a wide range as a
result of antibiotics resistant for the vast majority of microorganisms. Eucalyptus
camaldulensis essential oil and hydrosol were used in this study against planktonic
forms and biofilms of some species of Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria.
The antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of this plant were detected using the
microtiter plate and MIC approaches. The results proposed that the oil and hydrosol
preparations have antibacterial activities against planktonic cells in different
concentrations depending on the type of isolate. For antibiofilm activity, the results
showed that E. camaldulensis oil was highly effective against bacterial biofilms of
different bacterial species in comparison with the hydrosol. In conclusions, the
studied plant can be used as an alternative treatment against bacterial biofilms that
cause chronic infections for humans and animals.

Soil bacteria play an interesting role in the reduction of Ag+ ions and the
formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which may be a good source for
nanoparticles and play a major role in nanotechnology applications. The concept of
this project was to study the effects of these environmentally produced nanoparticles
on the growth of some pathogenic bacteria. The environmental bacteria were
isolated from soil, purified on broth cultures, and centrifuged, while the supernatant
was extracted to detect its ability to convert silver nitrate to nanoparticles. The
AgNPs was detected by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), while Granularity
Cumulating Distribution (GCD) was employed to estimate the AgNPs sizes. The
results showed the synthesis of AgNPs with sizes of 63.50nm and 45.81nm from the
extracts of environmental Pseudomonas sp. and Enterobacter, respectively. The
synthesized AgNPs from the extracts of all environmental bacteria showed
antibacterial activity against some pathogenic bacteria (Gram positive and Negative)
with variable inhibition zones. In conclusion, environmental bacteria can be a cheap
source of nanoparticles.

In this research, we prepared a polymer blend of polyvinylalcohol
(PVA)/carrageenan/kaolinite by means of the solution cast approach. The
composition of the blend was PVA in 1 gm by weight with 0.2 gm carrageenan as a
plasticizer. The ratio of nanoclay varied between 1 and 5 wt%. Different properties
were investigated in this study such as water vapor permeability, hardness, tear
strength, color stability, thermal stability, and antibacterial activity. Water vapor
permeability was decreased with increasing the ratio of nanoclay, while the values
of hardness, tear strength, color stability, and thermal stability were increased. Also,
the antibacterial activity examination with two types of bacteria, e.g. Gram positive
(Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram negative (Klebsiella pneumonia), showed
inhibition zone diameter which was increased with increasing nanoclay ratio.
Moreover, it was found that nanoclay has the ability to kill both Gram positive and
negative kinds of bacteria. It was found that the preparation of such films is suitable
for food packaging.

The current study was achieved on the effects of laser energy and annealing
temperature on x-ray structural and optical properties, such as the UV-Visible
spectra of cadmium sulfide (CdS). The films were prepared using pules laser
deposition technique (PLD) under vacuum at a pressure of 2.5×10-2 mbar with
different laser energies (500-800 mJ) and annealing at a temperature of 473K. X-ray
diffraction patterns and intensity curves for the CdS showed that the formation of
CdS multi-crystallization films at all laser energies. The optical properties of the
films were studied and the variables affecting them were investigated in relation to
laser energy and changes in temperature.

A green and low-cost method was used to prepare graphene oxide (GO) and
reduced graphene oxide (rGO) by chemical exfoliation of graphite powder by
modified Hummers method, followed by reduction using ascorbic acid. X-ray
diffractometry (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM)
were used to analyze the structure and morphology of the synthesized materials.
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy
were used to identify the formation of the GO and rGO.

The influence of different types of plasmonic gold (Au-NPs) and silver (Ag-NPs)
nanoparticles as well as aging on the performance of Surface-Enhanced Raman
Scattering (SERS) sensors were studied. The average diameters of Au-NPs and Ag-
NPs were about 23 nm and 15 nm, respectively, with a number of laser pulses of
about 200. plasmonic nanoparticles were synthesized by laser ablation process in
distilled water using a fixed energy laser fluence of about 14 J/cm2 of Nd-YAG
laser, with 1060 nm wavelength and 1 Hz pulse repetition rate. The SERS sensor
was carried out by quick drop casting process of plasmonicplasmonic nanoparticles
on glass substrates. The morphological aspects and the performance of SERS
sensors were investigated by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM)
and Raman spectroscopy. All the results indicated the significant dependence
of the performance of the sensor on the types of the plasmonic nanoparticles . The
obtained Raman signal intensity of Ag-NPs was about 105a.u. compared with 103a.u.
for Au-NPs. While, the stability of Au-NPs was much higher than that of Ag-NPs
based on SERS sensors due to the normal oxidation process of Ag-NPs.

Geophysical and petrographic evaluation of the earth‟s subsurface is of vital
concern, especially prior to geotechnical and hydrogeology works. Vertical
Electrical Sounding (VES) of Ire-Akari Estate of Apatapiti Community in Akure
South was carried out to assess the effects of the petrographic properties of
charnockitic rocks on the geotechnical and hydrogeologic systems. The three curve
types identified within the study area are AA, KH and HA, with a predominance of
KH curve type, which suggests that the predominant geologic sequence comprising
the topsoil has a clayey content alternating with laterite. This is underlain by
weathered layer and fresh bedrock. Petrographic analyses revealed the presence of
plagioclase (Albite-Anorthite), hypersthene, biotite, quartz, hornblende, microcline,
pyroxene and dark-coloured minerals, with an average modal composition of 31%,
15%, 11%, 18%, 13%, 1%, 5% and 6%, respectively. A correlation of both results
showed that the topsoil is mostly of about 0.4 m to 2 m thick layer of clay, indicative
of weathering of feldspars. This is underlain by 0.8 m to 7 m thick layer of lateritic
clay which responds as a low resistive layer. However, the mineral composition at
location 1 is characterized by rocks that are more resistant to weathering due to the
presence of low plagioclase in the rock sample compared to samples from other
locations with a higher percentage of plagioclase and hypersthene minerals. This
implies that weathering condition at all locations except location 1 could be
favorable to hydrogeology if there are interconnected fractures in the parent rock
(charnockite). However, since the area is predominantly covered by clayey materials
which are established as poor foundational materials, appropriate ground
improvement techniques and in-depth geotechnical analyses should be performed to
forestall hazards associated with them.

The 2D resistivity imaging technique was applied in an engineering study for
the investigation of subsurface weakness zones within University of Anbar, western
Iraq. The survey was carried out using Dipole-dipole array with an n-factor of 6 and
a-spacing values of 2 m and 5 m. The inverse models of the 2D electrical imaging
clearly show the resistivity contrast between the anomalous parts of the weakness
zones and the background resistivity distribution. The thickness and shape of the
subsurface weakness zones were well defined from the 2D imaging using Dipoledipole
array of 2 m a-spacing. The thickness of the weakness zone ranges between
9.5 m to 11.5 m. Whereas the Dipole-dipole array with a-spacing of 5 m and n-factor
of 6 allocated the geoelectrical stratigraphic layers sequence in low-accuracy of
weakness zones, but deeper than the inverse model of 2 m a-spacing. This survey
was made to explain the correlation between the weakness zone and the deeper
layers in the study area. It points out that the deeper layers were not affected in the
weakness zones. The inverse model was produced using the Standard Least-Squares
Inversion Method and the Robust Inversion Model Constraints Method. The first
method had a gradational boundary of the weakness zones and the second had
sharper and straighter boundaries of fractures and voids within the weakness zones.

Diagenetic processes and types of pores that control the reservoir properties are
studied for Mauddud Formation in selected wells of Badra oil field, central Iraq. The
microscopic study of the thin sections shows the effects of micritization,
cementation, neomorphism, dissolution, dolomitization, compaction, and fracturing
on Mauddud Formation carbonate microfacies. The decrease of porosity is resulted
from cementation, compaction, and neomorphism. Different types of calcite cement
occlude pore spaces such as drusy cement, syntaxial rim cement, and granular
(blocky) cement. The neomorphism of micritic matrix and skeletal grains reduces
porosity as indicated by development of microspar or pseudospar. Evidence of
decreasing porosity by compaction includes closer packing of grains, which reduces
interparticle porosity. Dissolution process has prominent effect in creating and
increasing the effective porosity in different depositional textures of Mauddud
Formation. Reservoir properties are increased in grain-supported microfacies, which
have vuggy porosity or primary porosity, whose pore size differs depending on the
size of the grains. The reservoir properties in the mud-supported microfacies are
reduced due to the low occurrence of pores and their lack of connectivity if they
exist.

This study aims to evaluate reservoir characteristics of Hartha Formation in
Majnoon oil field based on well logs data for three wells (Mj-1, Mj-3 and Mj-11).
Log interpretation was carried out by using a full set of logs to calculate main
petrophysical properties such as effective porosity and water saturation, as well as to
find the volume of shale. The evaluation of the formation included computer
processes interpretation (CPI) using Interactive Petrophysics (IP) software. Based
on the results of CPI, Hartha Formation is divided into five reservoir units (A1, A2,
A3, B1, B2), deposited in a ramp setting. Facies associations is added to well logs
interpretation of Hartha Formation, and was inferred by a microfacies analysis of
thin sections from core and cutting samples. The CPI shows that the A2 is the main
oil- bearing unit, which is characterized by good reservoir properties, as indicated by
high effective porosity, low water saturation, and low shale volume. Less important
units include A1 and A3, because they have low petrophysical properties compared
to the unit A2.

Zubair area is located at the extreme part of the south of Iraq and represents the
southern part of the western desert, bounded by the north latitudes 30o05'-30o25'
and east longitudes 47o30'- 47◦55'. Groundwater is a major natural resource in the
study area because no perennial river exists. Groundwater from twenty wells in the
study area were analyzed in order to determine some of chemical variables such as
major cations (Ca+2, Mg+2 ,Na+ ,K+ ) and major anions (CL- ,SO4-2 ,HCO3-
,CO3-2 ,NO3-) along with several physical variables such as hydrogen ion
concentration (pH) , total dissolved solids (TDS), and electrical conductivity (EC).
Hydro-chemical analysis showed that the groundwater of the study area is
excessively mineralized, depending on the relation between EC and mineralization.
Depending on total hardness (TH), all samples were with very hard water. High
chloride concentration in the groundwater of the study area may be an indicator of
pollution by sewage and agriculture fertilizers. The increase in flow length of the
groundwater in the study area would change the water quality from bicarbonate to
sulfate and chloride. The predominant cations recorded are calcium and
magnesium along with chloride from the anions, so that the water type is Ca-Mg-CL
for most samples. The water wells studied are not suitable for drinking purposes of
humans. Depending on TDS and EC values, the water samples are not suitable for
irrigation according to FAO 1997 classification. However, the results also revealed
an excellent water class depending on Na percentage (Na%) and EC according to
Todd 1980 classification for irrigation water. Also, an excellent water class (S1) for
agriculture was recorded depending on SAR classification of Subramain, 2005.

The use of Right dihedral method, Lisle graph, and Mohr diagram allows the
analysis of the paleostress. Fault slip data were measured for eighteen data of two
stations located within Chia Gara structure in Dohuk area in the High Folded Zone,
Northern Iraq. Depending on Mohr diagram, Bott equation, and vertical thickness,
the magnitudes of the paleostress at the time of the tectonic activity were
determined. Firstly, Georient Software was used to estimate the orientation of the
paleostresses (σ1, σ2 and σ3). Secondly, using the rupture –friction law, taking into
account the depth of the overburden, the vertical stress (σv) was calculated to
determine the magnitude of the paleostresses in the study area. The values in station
one (hinge area, eight data) were σ1=7100, σ2=4121.5, and σ3=1143 bars, whereas
the values in station two (the north limb of structure, ten data) were σ1=3740,
σ2=1585, and σ3=570 bars. The high magnitudes of the principal stress axes may
refer to the active tectonic events which led to the deformation of the area during the
Mesozoic Era and the Tertiary period. The study area shows the existence of two
types of the faults, the first type is the reactivated faults, the poles of which lie
between the sliding line and Mohr envelope. The second type is the inactive faults,
with poles lying on the great circle of Mohr diagram.

Four hundred and seventy eight gravity base stations in Iraq were used to obtain
a new local theoretical gravity equation. The obtained equation was used to
construct a Bouguer anomaly map of Iraq depending on the available gravity base
stations. This map was compared with the Bouguer map constructed for the same
stations using the international formula (1930). Good similarity in shapes and
locations of the anomaly were observed, while the gravity anomaly values in the
new map were increased by about 30 mGal. The eastern zero gravity contour line of
the new obtained gravity map coincides with the western boundary of the tectonic
Mesopotamian zone, while the main negative gravity values coincide with the
Mesopotamian area, which contains most oil fields in eastern Iraq. All negative
gravity anomaly areas coincide with the deepest basement rocks (the sedimentary
basins) in Iraq. The obtained results are very valuable in geological applications.

The topological indices are functions on the graph that do not depend on the
labeling of their vertices. They are used by chemists for studying the properties of
chemical compounds. Let be a simple connected graph. The Hyper-Zagreb index
of the graph , ( ) is defined as ( ) Σ (
)
( ) ,where
and
are the degrees of vertex and , respectively. In this paper, we
study the HyperZagreb index and give upper and lower bounds for ( ).

In this paper, the wear in layers of articular cartilage was calculated, parameters
effective on elastic deformation were studied in normal and diseased knee joints,
and relations between elastic deformation and squeeze film characteristics under
lubrication condition were discussed with using a mathematical model. Conferring
to the results obtained, elastic deformation effects on the performance of synovial
human knee joint were analyzed from medical and dynamics perspectives.
Relationships between elastic deformation and wear of layers were also discussed.

In this paper, the time-fractional Fisher’s equation (TFFE) is considered to exam
the analytical solution using the Laplace q-Homotopy analysis method (Lq-HAM)”.
The Lq-HAM is a combined form of q-homotopy analysis method (q-HAM) and
Laplace transform. The aim of utilizing the Laplace transform is to outdo the
shortage that is mainly caused by unfulfilled conditions in the other analytical
methods. The results show that the analytical solution converges very rapidly to the
exact solution.