Iraqi Journal of Industrial Research

The research aims to assess the input (raw water, RW) and output water (produced water, PW) specifications within the treatment unit of the Abu Ghraib dairy factory. The goal is to ensure that the output water aligns with Iraqi environmental standards outlined in Law 25 of 1967, addressing river water and discharged wastewater, and Law 3 of 2012, pertaining to the reuse of treated water for agricultural irrigation. Analysis of the provided PW samples indicates general adherence to approved specifications for chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), acidity (pH), nitrate (NO3), phosphates (PO4), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (S.S), chloride, and sodium adsorption rate. Effective removal of organic content is observed, with percentages ranging from 92% to 97% for COD and 92% to 97.8% for BOD across all samples. To enhance the treated water quality further, adsorption using activated carbon (AC) was implemented through a batch system involving 800 ml of PW and 2 gm of AC, with a variable time and an equilibrium period of 5 hours. Remarkably, this approach resulted in a 100% removal of both COD and BOD. Sodium absorption rate (SAR) values, before and after adsorption, were 4.7 and 4.86, respectively. In a continuous system using a fixed bed activated at different depths (10, 20, and 30 cm), maintaining a constant flow rate of 15 ml/min and an initial COD concentration of 75 ppm, breakthrough curve time and empty bed contact time increased proportionally with bed depth, showing the impact of this parameter on system performance.

This paper presents the findings of a comprehensive study on the characteristics, creation, and optical properties of silicon nanowires (SN) formed through metal-stimulated chemical etching (MSCE) of single-crystal silicon, considering both hole and electronic types of conductivity. Our investigation aims to deepen the understanding of key factors contributing to SN genesis. Notably, a direct correlation has been established between the duration of chemical etching and the resultant silicon nanowire\'s (SN) length, irrespective of the total etching time. The research encompasses an exploration of various spectral phenomena, including total and specular infrared (IR) reflection, Raman scattering (RS) of light generated by WHs, photoluminescence (PL) spectra, and more. Remarkably, the study reveals a noteworthy linear relationship between the duration of chemical etching and the length of the silicon nanowires. Furthermore, our investigation into diverse spectral phenomena, such as total and specular infrared (IR) reflection, Raman scattering (RS) from light generated by WHs, and photoluminescence (PL) spectra, elucidates intriguing patterns. Specifically, the silicon band in the Raman spectrum demonstrates an increase in size and a migration towards shorter wavelengths with prolonged chemical etching time.

One of the most significant environmental problems of the day is ammonium ion pollution of wastewater, especially from sources that produce chemical fertilizers. Higher ammonia concentrations in lakes and rivers increase eutrophication, lower dissolved oxygen levels, and ultimately cause the aquatic ecosystem to collapse. The adsorption method using one of the best adsorbent materials is one of the methods that can be used to remove ammonium ions from water with excellent results. This study aims to use adsorption technology with nano zeolite (NZ) to treat ammonium ion-contaminated water and simulate water release from the State Company of Fertilizers. The best conditions were discovered to be (2.5 g) adsorbent dose, (240 min) shaking duration, (100 ppm) starting ammonium ion concentration at pH 8.0, and constant temp. 25oC for the efficient adsorption of NH4+ ammonium ions and effective removal onto NZ. The result shows that the parameters have great influence on the ammonium removal using the NZ if the removal rate reaches 98% and the maximum ammonium adsorption capacity (qe) obtained is 11.5 mg/g. The Freundlich model best describes the adsorption isotherms with a higher coefficient of determination (R2=0.97) than the Langmuir model with a coefficient of determination (R2=0.80). The results imply that the NZ is an efficient adsorbent for ammonium ion removal.

In the field of information theory, the significance of low-power techniques cannot be overstated. Among these, clock gating stands out as a potent method to mitigate power dissipation in synchronous designs. The landscape has been further shaped by VLSI innovations, which, in their initial stages, necessitated substantial equipment, incurred high power consumption, and exhibited occasional unreliability. This paper explores the evolution from these challenges to a paradigm where advancements in VLSI technology have resulted in smaller, more affordable, reliable, and power-efficient systems. Focusing on the Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU) design, our study presents a comparative analysis of power consumption across various existing clock gating techniques. Introducing an innovative signal clock gating method, we address contemporary challenges with an accessible mechanism, enhancing immunity. Our proposed Gated Clock Generation design, employing a tri-state connection and logic gate, demonstrates superior power savings, even when applied to the target module. This approach optimizes power efficiency in digital design while proving particularly effective in reducing dynamic power within logic circuits. Implementing an improved gate-based clock gating technique in ALU design, our results show a noteworthy reduction in clock delay (71% to 78%), a 23% improvement in area, and a substantial 66.67% enhancement in power efficiency. Notably, this clock gating scheme surpasses alternative methods in terms of area requirements. The experiments, exclusively conducted on ALU design, utilized 130 nm standard logic libraries for implementation. The design architecture was meticulously crafted using Verilog HDL, and simulations were executed with ModelSim-Altera 10.0c (Quartus II 11.1) Starter Version.

Corrosion inhibitors play a crucial role in mitigating the detrimental effects of chemical and electrochemical interactions over time. This phenomenon poses significant threats to structural integrity, strength, and has far-reaching economic implications across various industries such as construction, petrochemicals, mining, fertilizer, and energy units. The environmental repercussions, including toxic outflows and plant failures, underscore the need for comprehensive assessments. Despite the commendable contributions of Iraqi researchers in developing organic, inorganic, natural, and nano-corrosion inhibitors, there is a critical gap in considering potential side effects. This study explores a pioneering approach to evaluating the toxicity of corrosion inhibitors on both human health and the environment. Leveraging mathematical modeling and mechanisms, we present a mimic estimation of environmental factors influencing corrosion phenomena. The out-lab experimental calculations employ Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) techniques, providing a structural-based predictive model for assessing the potential impact of chemicals before embarking on experimental complexities. Drawing from Iraqi journals, seven corrosion inhibitors with diverse chemical structures, experimental conditions, and publishing sources were selected. These compounds were subjected to scrutiny using online prediction websites that evaluate Embro-toxicity, Cardio-toxicity, and crop-toxicity. Each inhibitor underwent screening by specific toxicological web servers. The findings revealed that all studied compounds posed moderate to extremely unsafe risks to fetal health during pregnancy, potentially categorizing them as teratogens with elevated risks of preterm labor, miscarriage, or stillbirth. Additionally, none of the tested materials exhibited herbicidal activity.

The imperative advancement of gamma-ray shielding materials is pivotal for ensuring radioactive and nuclear safety. In this study, our objective was to ascertain key gamma ray shielding parameters, including the mass attenuation coefficient (μm), effective atomic number (Zeff), half-value layer (HVL), effective electronic density (Neff), mean free path (MFP), and exposure buildup factor (EBF), for four oxyanion complexes (CaMoO4, PbCrO4, PbMoO4, or CaWO4). These calculations were performed using Phy-X software within the photon interaction range of 0.015-15 MeV. The investigated ternary chromate, tungstate, and molybdate complexes with the molecular formula ABO4, where A = Ca or Pb and B = Mo, Cr, or W, exhibited an exponential decrease in μm with increasing photon energy in the low-energy region. Lead molybdate demonstrated the highest μm followed by PbCrO4, CaWO4, and CaMoO4, correlating with their respective mean atomic numbers and densities. The mean free path values followed the order of PbMoO4, PbCrO4, CaWO4, and CaMoO4, indicating superior shielding properties due to effective medium-photon interactions. The HVL increased with rising photon energy, with the minimum HVL observed in the presence of lead, primarily attributed to the photoelectric effect. Zeff exhibited a decrease with diminishing mean atomic number and density, with PbMoO4 displaying the highest Zeff, signifying superior γ-ray shielding capability. The exposure buildup factor (EBF) highlighted the interference of photons by calcium compared to lead compounds. The controlled parameters at low and high energy exposures were attributed to the anion and cation properties of the ternary ABO4, respectively. Among the evaluated materials, PbMoO4 emerged as the most effective gamma shielding material in the context of nuclear safety.

Enterobacteriaceae are Gram-negative bacteria that have many mechanisms to survive in contaminated environments. Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of them that express efflux pump genes in the presence of heavy metals, like AcrAb and OqxA genes. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the existence of efflux pump genes in K. pneumoniae, and heavy metal contamination in the Tigris River. By comparing important indicators to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, this study aims to analyze the river\'s water quality. It focuses on detection of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), iron (Fe), and cobalt (Co). Fifteen samples of the Tigris River near the Al-Dura project of water remediation were obtained and cultured on selective media, and the water quality parameters, like TSS, TDS, TH, pH, turbidity, EC, BOD, COD, OD, TOC, and heavy metals, were estimated. Bacterial DNA was extracted, then efflux genes were detected with the presence of heavy metals in the tested samples. Results illustrated that K. pneumoniae gave positive results in nine of the total fifteen samples, and the water quality parameters were within the normal ranges, except for elevated levels of DO and TOC, and decreased levels of BOD and COD, with a significant relationship among heavy metal levels with both AcrAB and OqxA genes at a significance level of p ≤ 0.05.

This study investigates the combined impact of temperature and dust on the performance of a photovoltaic (PV) system. The investigation took place during the summer of 2022 in Baghdad (33.28°N, 44.39°E), known for its extremely high temperatures. Two distinct scenarios were examined: a dusty day and a dusty panel (typically occurring after a dusty day). The research initially compared the performance of clean and dusty PV modules under severe summer conditions and later extended its analysis to the on-grid PV system of the Renewable Energy and Environment Research Center building. The results reveal that temperature predominantly reduces voltage, while dust primarily diminishes current. However, during dust storms, temperatures significantly drop below their average, potentially leading to an increase in PV output. This creates a dual effect where the negative impact of temperature is partially offset by dust because dust mitigates the ambient temperature, resulting in a relatively smaller decrease in PV output. This phenomenon is most pronounced at high temperatures. For instance, the loss ratio for a clean module was 24%, whereas for a dusty module, it was 6%, highlighting this beneficial impact of dust. However, at low and moderate temperatures, dust continues to have a detrimental effect. This finding is significant for optimizing PV system efficiency in similar environmental contexts.

The rapid development of coronavirus disease nineteen (COVID-19) into a pandemic within months has posed significant risks, particularly for the elderly and individuals with underlying medical conditions. The primary driver of COVID-19 severity and mortality is the cytokine inflammatory storm. Elevated levels of ferritin, resulting from this storm and secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, have been observed in severe COVID-19 patients. The cytokine storm represents an uncontrolled and dysfunctional immune response within the pathogenic mechanism of COVID-19, leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and systemic organ failure. Ferritin, an iron storage protein crucial for regulating cellular oxygen metabolism, shows a significant correlation with disease severity in COVID-19 patients.This study, conducted across three Libyan hospitals and two private laboratories from 2018 to 2022, targeted 500 cases to investigate ferritin\'s role in COVID‐19. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests confirmed COVID-19 positivity. Ferritin levels were measured using a fully automatic device, revealing high levels in almost all positive cases, with some experiencing levels as high as 4532 ng/ml. Analysis of 209 negative COVID-19 cases before and after the pandemic showed consistently low or normal ferritin levels. Among the positive cases, 250 were admitted to the ICU, with a significant proportion experiencing elevated ferritin levels, and 82 ICU patients succumbed to the disease. Gender and age did not seem to influence ferritin elevation in COVID-19 cases. In conclusion, increased ferritin levels may indicate worsening COVID-19 cases and could be associated with disease severity and mortality.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most frequent endocrinological disorder, occurring in young women at reproductive age. This study was carried out to investigate the association between the fat mass and obesity associated gene (Omentin-1V109D gene) polymorphism with some physiological and biochemical Parameters. The present study indicates to the association between PCOS patients and control groups according to the hormonal profile and there is a link between obesity and pathogenesis of hyperprolactinemia, our data showed highly significantly difference. This study shows demonstrated the comparison of the mean of selected Lipid profile between PCOS patients and control group involving (T. Cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDL, LDL and VLDL). The mean value of serum total cholesterol (T.C), Triglyceride, HDL, LDL and VLDL are highly significantly increased (p<0.01) in PCOS patients group compared with healthy group (control). It was found highly significant association (P≤0.01) of serum-FSH, serum-LH, testosterone and prolactin hormones. It was found the mean value of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL and VLDL are highly significantly (P≤0.01) increased in PCOS patients. The Omentin gene (V109D rs2274907A) polymorphism have a significant association with hyper LDL, in women with PCO, and may represent as a risk factor for PCOS incidence.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age, requiring diverse management strategies. This study, conducted at Kamal Al-Samarrai Hospital Fertility Center/Baghdad from January to March 2023, included 80 Iraqi women aged 18-45, comprising 40 with PCOS and 40 healthy controls. Hormonal markers (FSH, LH, T, PRL, Ca2+, and Vitamin D3) were systematically assessed, along with Apa1 gene polymorphisms in whole blood genomic DNA using PCR-RFLP. PCOS patients showed significantly elevated LH, LH/FSH, T, and PRL levels (p < 0.01) and lower Vitamin D and calcium levels (p < 0.05) compared to controls. The scrutiny of VDR gene Apa1 polymorphism uncovered a notable prevalence of \"Aa\" and \"aa\" genotypes among PCOS patients, constituting 65.00% and 25.00%, respectively, in contrast to the control group\'s 17.50% and 0.00% in controls. The \"aa\" allele, more frequent in PCOS, emerged as a potential risk factor for the condition. This study establishes a strong association between VDR gene (Apa1) polymorphism and PCOS, highlighting the significance of the \"aa\" allele. It emphasizes the homozygous variant genotype \"aa\" as a substantial risk factor for PCOS, providing insights into its genetic basis.

There are many ways to increase the quality and productivity of the chili pepper plant, one of which is the use of organic fertilizer, to improve the properties of the soil as well as provide the nutrients needed. A pot experiment was carried out in the greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture, Samarra University, during the agricultural season 2022, with the aim of studying the effect of using seven types of fertilizers (bread yeast fertilizer A2, decomposed cow dung fertilizer A3, tea residue fertilizer A4, coffee residue fertilizer A5, rice soaked fertilizer A6, and chemical fertilizer A7in addition to the control A1) on the growth and yield of chili pepper using a randomized complete block design with four replications. The results were as follows: Fertilizer treatment A3 was significantly superior in vegetative growth characteristics, as the plant length reached 81.69 cm, stem diameter 7.95 mm, number of branches 10.75, and number of leaves 95.0 leaves. Plant- 1, leaf area 178.14 cm2, number of fruits 34.26 fruits. Plant- 1, and total yield 1.76 kg.plant-1, while treatment A2 excelled in the characteristics of root length 27.84 cm and root fresh weight 26.75 g. Fertilization treatment A4 had the lowest rate in all traits.

Cryptosporidium infection poses a significant threat to domestic pigeon populations worldwide, Pigeons serve as vectors and may transmit the parasite to other avian species, therefore playing a significant role in zoonotic transmission. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in domestic pigeons in Baghdad, Iraq, using conventional PCR and to assess the influence of age, sex, and seasonal variation on infection rates. During the study period of six months, from 1st October to end of March, 120 domestic pigeons were sampled, and fecal samples were collected for genetic analysis by using a conventional PCR. The overall infection rate was found to be 70.83%, with no significant difference between male and female pigeons, and infection rate of females was highest 82.98%. However, younger pigeons below 6 months of age exhibited a higher infection rate 78.26% compared to adults with significant differences. Seasonal variation was observed, with the highest infection rates recorded in February 95% and January 85%. According to molecular analysis the results confirmed the high presence of Cryptosporidium spp. between domestic pigeons in Baghdad city. In conclusion the study reported high prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in domestic pigeons in Baghdad, Iraq, with significant age-related variations and seasonal fluctuations.