Tikrit Journal of Pure Science

This study evaluated the physiological and histological effects of Propylthiouracil (PTU) and aqueous extract of Thymus vulgaris on thyroid function and bone growth in albino rats. Thirty males were assigned to six groups: control, thyme (400 mg/kg), PTU (50 mg/kg), PTU (100 mg/kg), thyme + PTU (50 mg/kg), and thyme + PTU (100 mg/kg). Treatments continued for 60 days. Serum analysis demonstrated that PTU induced hypothyroidism, reflected by a significant reduction in T3 (255.4 ± 12.3 pg/ml in control vs. 356.1 ± 15.2 pg/ml in PTU 50 mg; p < 0.05), calcium (10.23 ± 0.44 vs. 8.92 ± 0.38 mg/dl at PTU 50 mg; p < 0.01), vitamin D3 (9.1 ± 0.41 vs. 8.24 ± 0.36 ng/ml at PTU 100 mg), and CT (43.85 ± 1.9 vs. 37.57 ± 1.8 pg/ml at PTU 100 mg). Thyme extract improved endocrine parameters (T3: 294.9 ± 13.2 pg/ml; GH: 470.8 ± 20.5 pg/ml; Ca: 10.28 ± 0.46 mg/dl) and preserved bone microarchitecture. Combined therapy markedly enhanced recovery, with significant restoration of T3 (440.8 ± 18.7 pg/ml at thyme + PTU 50 mg; p < 0.01) and Ca (10.89 ± 0.49 mg/dl at thyme + PTU 100 mg; p < 0.01). Histological evaluation confirmed follicular degeneration and trabecular thinning in the PTU groups, while thyme co-administration mitigated these alterations. Aqueous thyme extract demonstrated significant protective effects against PTU-induced thyroid dysfunction and bone degeneration. These findings highlight thyme as a promising natural therapeutic adjunct for hypothyroidism-associated bone disorders.

This study was conducted on German cockroaches, identifying the types of parasites they mechanically transmit via their external body surfaces and the parasites present in their intestines that they transmit to humans. The study was conducted in Tikrit. 150 German cockroaches (Blattella germanica) were collected, comprising 63 males (49 adults and 15 immature) and 87 females (69 adults and 18 immature). The collection process was carried out from various locations, including rooms in homes, bathrooms, and sewers. It was observed that most cockroaches carried parasites, either on their external body surfaces or within their intestines, at a rate exceeding 89%. Parasites were isolated and their types identified, revealing that the internal parasites transmitted by these cockroaches were more numerous than those on their external bodies. The study also found that cockroaches collected from bathrooms had higher parasite loads than those collected from other locations.

Thyroid hormones are closely linked to metabolic and many physiological processes in the human body. Therefore, it is expected that hypothyroidism, which is a common disease in the world, is linked to many diseases such as diabetes, liver diseases, and everything related to metabolic processes. Therefore, we also expect a link between the difference in concentrations of biochemical variables such as heparin and adipsin in the bloodstream for patients with hypothyroidism and other diseases. All sixty men patients were suffering from hypothyroidism, their ages ranged from 30 to 61 years old. After collecting the samples, thyroid hormone concentrations in blood serum were measured using the Minividas technique, while heparin and adipsin were measured using kits from Sun Long Biotech (China). There was a highly significant increase (P≤0.001) in Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH), vasopressin, and adipsin levels in the men's patient group compared to healthy men in the control group. The results showed a highly significant decrease (P≤0.001) in T4 compared with the men's control group. Hepassocin and adipsin may be relatively independent good markers for the prognosis of an active thyroid gland “hypothyroidism”.

The Hammett equation constants were calculated theoretically by statistically correlating the practical Hammett equation constants for these compounds with several theoretically calculated structural properties. Two quantum-mechanical methods were used to calculate the structural properties. The experimental method (AM1) used the basic process (DFT), and the calculated structural variables were divided into two types. The first is the inductive, the energies of bond and charge distributions on atoms. In contrast, the second type includes the energy variables, which include the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), hardness (ŋ), and total energy (E). The single- and double-regression analyses were performed using the statistical analysis program (SPSS). The relationship between the theoretically calculated variables and the practical Hammett equation constants was evaluated through the correlation coefficients (R2). In a single regression analysis, several variables were found to strongly correlate with the practical Hammett equation constants, with the strongest being the charge on the oxygen atom at position 9 adjacent to the carbonyl group (C=O). By conducting the double regression analysis, we obtained the best correlation strength of the theoretically calculated variables with the values of the practical Hammett equation constants and the values of the correlation coefficients (R2) for the best two variables for each of the four methods gave the highest value of the correlation coefficient R2 = 1 through the variables (C6 + C7) because they are among the factors affecting the values of (σ).

ABSTRACT
The corrosion inhibition efficiency of copper alloy in HNO3 solution at different concentrations (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mol/L) was studied by adding bay leaf extract at different concentrations (1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 ppm). The effect of concentration on the corrosion rate was studied in both the absence and presence of the inhibitor, in addition to choosing the acid concentration (1 mol/L) and varying inhibitor concentrations. The research also included studying the effect of temperature on the corrosion rate in both the absence and presence of the inhibitor. The weight loss method was used to calculate the corrosion rate. A negative heat of adsorption indicates that the reaction is exothermic. The adsorption free energy of the bay leaf extract ranged from 4.6 to 6.1 kJ/mol, and the results indicated that Langmuir adsorption was best. The results of this study showed that the inhibitor reduces corrosion in acidic media and that the inhibition efficiency increases with increasing inhibitor concentration and decreases with increasing temperature. The inhibition rate of the extract reached (92.31%) at an acid concentration of 0.5 mol/L, an inhibitor concentration of 4000 ppm, and a temperature of 298 K. This study showed that the inhibitor has high corrosion resistance. The results also showed that the bay extract exhibits inhibitory activity, likely due to its high viscosity and high levels of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, as indicated by the HPLC test.

This study examined the influence of immersion periods in nanoparticles suspension of cadmium telluride (CdTe) prepared by pulsed laser ablation on the structural and optical properties of deposited thin films with a thickness range of 300 to 420 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed a polycrystalline structure with enhanced crystallinity and an increase in crystallite size from 19 to 21.6 nm with increasing immersion time from 1 to 4 h. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed increases in particle diameter and surface roughness with increasing deposition time. These changes were linked with the development of optical absorbance of the deposited films; in addition, the energy gap narrowed from 2.82 to 2.62 eV. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirms the formation of the CdTe structure. These variations make the thin films more suitable for various applications.

In this study, we conducted a theoretical analysis of the effects of grooves on the properties of amorphous silicon solar cells. The studied groove structure consists of prisms arranged perpendicularly to the one-dimensional grooves, and we refer to this formation as the two-dimensional groove. The groove apex angles under investigation are acute, right, and obtuse (40°, 90°, and 110°, respectively). A theoretical method is proposed to calculate the increase in photocurrent resulting from texturing-induced enhanced optical absorption. This is done by analyzing the characteristic equation to find the I-V characteristic for all groove angles. The reflectivity was estimated from the spectral reflectance of a-Si: H, whereas our study focuses on Mosul city in July, when incident solar irradiance is at its peak. The incident solar power, the output power, and the efficiency were determined for each case. Using all the above steps, the input, output and the efficiency are calculated. An increase in efficiency was observed for two-dimensional texturing when the angles are right and obtuse. Also, the prisms arranged perpendicularly will absorb (in the case of one-dimensional), which is common for the early and late hours of the day. The role of the second dimension decreases as normal incidence is approached and becomes zero at normal incidence. The two-dimensional texturing absorbed the escaped energy in the case of one dimension for all groove angles.

This study involves the preparation of copper oxide (CuO) thin films on glass substrates for gas-sensing applications via direct current (DC) reactive sputtering. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis results indicate that the CuO films possess a polycrystalline structure with a preferred orientation along the (110) direction. The surface roughness was analysed using atomic force microscope (AFM) techniques. The films exhibit roughness values (33.2, 54.85, and 21,44 nm) at the applied voltage (480, 580, and 680 V), respectively. The field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) images show CuO nanoparticles with a uniform, homogeneous distribution. The particle sizes of the prepared target nanoparticles start to grow with increasing the applied voltage from (480 – 680 V). The average particle width (diameter) was found to be about (26.25 – 69.1 nm). The optical properties of the prepared copper oxide films in the range (300 – 1100 nm) showed that the optical energy gap decreased gradually from (2.78 – 2.36 eV) with increasing applied voltage from (480 – 680V). CuO thin-film sensors exhibited high sensitivity and responded quickly to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ammonia (NH3). So, it is observed that exposure of the CuO-based sensor material to a NO2 atmosphere decreases the sensor's resistance, whereas exposure to NH3 increases it.

In this study, magnetron sputtering was used to deposit Ti-6Al-4V thin films onto stainless steel substrates. A high-purity (99%) Ti-6Al-4V target and a DC magnetron sputtering system were employed. Deposition occurred at a base pressure of 10⁻5 bar, a working pressure of 4 Torr, room temperature (27 °C), and a target-to-substrate distance of 5 cm. Film thickness was controlled by varying deposition time to 3, 6, and 9 minutes. AFM and FESEM analyses showed thicknesses of 18, 42, and 13 nm for the first, second, and third samples, respectively. AFM revealed that the 18 nm sample had a smooth, uniform surface, while the 42 nm and 13 nm films showed poorer surface quality and structural changes. FESEM indicated that nanoparticle size and surface morphology varied with thickness. A clean surface was observed in the 18 nm film, whereas the 42 nm and 13 nm samples exhibited irregular deposition profiles and particle-size differences. Controlling film thickness during deposition is essential for achieving desired properties. Mechanical and electrical behavior change significantly with thickness and surface structure. Thinner films show modified optoelectronic and mechanical characteristics due to increased surface aggregation. Surface variations are crucial for sensor and electronic device development. Ti-6Al-4V films produced by magnetron sputtering exhibited nanoparticles of 33–43 nm and improved corrosion resistance, mechanical durability, thermal stability, and optical performance. These properties make them suitable for sensors, microdevices, and electronic medical applications. Furthermore, precise thickness optimization enables tailored functionality for advanced coatings, biomedical implants, and durable electronic surface engineering solutions worldwide.

Caring for the environment is a major priority in many countries, as environmental pollution poses a serious threat to natural resources, including water, air, and land. Pollution levels have reached alarming rates, prompting researchers across various scientific disciplines to focus on studies aimed at reducing and controlling these pollutants within permissible limits.
Air and atmospheric pollution are among the most dangerous forms of pollution affecting human health and the environment. They contribute to global warming and ozone layer depletion by emitting harmful gases, especially nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). When the concentration of NO₂ in the air reaches 0.07%, it transforms into nitric acid, a lethal gas that can cause death within half an hour. These oxides react with hemoglobin in the blood, hindering oxygen transport to cells, making children particularly vulnerable. Symptoms such as blue lips are common signs of this type of poisoning. In industrial regions like the United States, nitrogen oxides are major contributors to acid rain.
With significant advances in digital data recording technologies, environmental data is now captured as a time series. This allows the application of mathematical models to analyze pollutant behavior for control and prediction. In this research, the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm was applied to analyze nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels in Baghdad from 2015 to 2017, using weekly averages across 157 observations. The model achieved a prediction accuracy rate of approximately 94%.