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Several experiments were carried out to study heavy metal tolerance in tissue cultures or whole plants of S. grandiflora., Callus was induced and maintained on modified Murashige and Skoog, 1962 medium (MS) supplemented with (0.5)mg/l benzyl adenine and (2)mg/l 2,4-phenoxy acetic acid . Heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Cr or Zn) were added to the culture medium at different concentrations as contamination agents. In order to asses the effect of these heavy metals on seed germination; seeds were sown in soil contaminated with different concentrations of heavy metals for 3 weeks. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer was used for analysis of samples taken from whole plants and callus cultures. Results showed that callus fresh weight decreased with increasing heavy metal concentration in cultural medium. Germination percentages and plant heights increased over time. However, a reduction occurred in these parameters with increasing heavy metal levels. Percentages of metals accumulated in calli were (0.001, 0.011, 0.012 and 0.013%) at (0.0, 0.05, 0.075 and 0.1)mg/l Cd respectively; (0.001, 0.008, 0.016 and 0.006%) at (0.0, 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5)mg/l Co respectively; (0.001, 0.020, 0.034 and 0.015%) at (0.0, 0.075, 0.2 and 0.5)mg/l Cu respectively; (0.001, 0.013, 0.012 and 0.010%) at (0.0, 0.25, 0.4 and 0.5)mg/l Cr respectively and (0.027, 0.051, 0.059 and 0.056%) at (0.0 , 0.75, 1.0 and 1.5)mg/l Zn respectively. Percentages of metals accumulated in whole plants were (0.08, 0.55, 1.11, 0.83 and 0.44%) at (0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0)mg/Kg soil Cd respectively; (0.11, 0.22, 0.55, 0.47 and 0.44%) at (0.0, 15.0, 30.0 45.0 and 60.0)mg/Kg soil Co respectively; (0.01, 0.10, 0.57, 0.58 and 0.72%) at (0.0, 25.0, 50.0, 75.0 and 100.0)mg/Kg soil Cu respectively. (0.08, 0.80, 1.28, 1.31 and 0.88%) at (0.0, 25.0, 50.0, 75.0 and 100.0)mg/Kg soil Cr respectively and (0.06, 1.11, 1.20, 1.83 and 2.22%) at (0.0, 100.0, 200.0, 300.0 and 400.0)mg/Kg soil Zn respectively.

Plant tissue culture techniques are used for the micropropagation of Gladiolus, Oscar variety, using axillary buds of the flower stalks, axillary buds of corms and cormels. It was aimed to design production program for micropropagation and cormels production all year round. This work included many experiments. The effect of Benzyl adenine (BA) and Kinetin (Kin) and the interaction between BA and Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) on shoot proliferation, the effect of BA on shoot multiplication, the effect of NAA on rooting after 30, 40 and 50 days, were studied. The role of the composed (Peatmoss only, Peatmoss: sand, sand only) in plantlet survival during acclimatization was also studied. Results showed that BA supplemented to the medium at 2.0 mgl induced shoot proliferation from axillary buds of flower stalks, giving an average shoot height of 2.5 cm. while reached 7.4 cm. in shoots induced from axillary buds of corms on a combination of 0.05 mgl NAA and 0.4 mgl BA. In cormels, the best response occurred at concentration of 1.0 mgl Kin giving average shoot length of (6.5 cm.). Maximum average of shoot number and length at the multiplication stage occurred at 0.75 mgl BA in axillary buds taken from both flower stalks and corms, while at 0.5 mgl in cormels. NAA at 1.0 mgl achieved the highest response in root number and length for all studied explants. Rooting percent, number and root length increased over time. Cormels formed 50 days after rooting reaching 100% cormels formation on all plantlets regenerated from the different explants under investigation. Peatmoss was found the best among the three tested media in sustaining plantlets survival.

Liquorice plant is considered one of the important medicinal and economical plants. It is rich with many compounds, minerals, vitamins, and even plant hormones. This research is aimed to study the possibility of using callus tissue extracts as an alternative to plant growth regulators added to the culture media. A factorial experiment was implemented to find out the appropriate combination between 2, 4-D and BA for callus induction on Liquoricenode explants. It was found that a combination of 2 mg/l 2, 4-D with 2.5 mg/l BA is the best one for callus induction and maintenance using MS medium. Water and alcoholic extracts were prepared from callus tissue at concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10) ml/l then added to culture medium as an alternative to plant growth regulators. The effect of these concentrations on growth and development of tissues and organs for some plants was studied using soya bean, potato and wheat plants for this purpose. Results showed that water extract induced shoot proliferation from potato single nodes. Both types of extracts increased soya bean callus fresh weight significantly. It was found also that water extract was more effective than alcoholic one in increasing vegetative and root parts in germinating wheat seeds.

From economic site;jojoba Simmondsia chinesis (Link) Schn. is very important shrub as its seeds contain high percent of oily wax . This wax composes natural and chemical charachteristics which makes shrub to be involved in many trade, manufacture and medical uses. In this study several interactions between auxins and cytokinins and gibbrellin were implemented to find out the best concentration for callus induction, vegetative growth and differentiation for experiments. BA at(2 or 5) mg/l, NAA at (0.018, 2, 2, 5) mg/l and GA3 at (0.1 or 0.2) mg/l were used. Results showed that highest percent for callus induction were (50 and 70) % respectively in the treatment (2) mg/l BA and (2) mg/l for both BA and NAA. The results revealed that using Kin. plus NAA with (0.1 or 0.2) mg/l GA3, was the best concentration lead to high percent of differentiation for vegetative shoot were (40 and 44) % respectively However, the length of vegetative shoots were (2 and 2.5) cm respectively. , this indicates the importance of the balance between these phytohormones required for shoot growth.

The present study aimed to induction and detection gene expression in okra calli derived from anther cultures exposed to drought stress and UV-C. Results showed an increase in the mean response % in callus induction using leaf explant of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) cultured on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium (MS) supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), Benzyl adenine (BA) and Thidiazuron (TDZ). Two protocol used to callus induction, the response percentage to callus formation was different and ranged from 10 to 100. In the first protocol of PGRs combinations and concentrations, anther explants responded significantly to the concentration 2.0 mg/L of NAA and 0.5 mg/L TDZ with a mean response 100% for callus induction compared with those cultured on a hormone free medium and other combinations and concentrations of PGRs. On the other hand, the second protocol, showed the highest callus induction in all PGRs combinations recorded 2.0 mg/L of NAA and 3.0 mg/L BA in the mean response % for callus induction. Results showed that the highest callus fresh weight for maintenance medium was achieved at 2.0 mg/L NAA and 2.0 mg/L BA. Results showed that more calli with root being produced but no shoot regeneration or embryogenesis obtained. Callus cultures were subjected to drought stress using different concentrations of mannitol 0.0, 100, 200 or 300 g/L. Cultures were also subjected to UV-C radiation with UV-C 1.5 kJ m-2 for 0, 30, or 60 min then re-cultured on MS medium supplemented with 0.0, 100, 200 or 300 g/L of mannitol. Callus fresh weight was recorded, mean callus fresh weight decreased with increasing mannitol concentration reached 91 mg at 300 g/L mannitol, while reached 198 mg in control. On the other hand, the highest value of callus fresh weight reached 139 mg at the concentration 100 g/L of mannitol only without UV treatment. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used for analyzing differences in gene expression in cultures exposed to drought (stressed) and unstressed (control) of okra calli. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) gene that encodes for drought tolerance was investigated in okra plant, which can be considered an indicator for drought tolerance, and this gene has not been studied before in the okra plant after searching in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to induce and detect genetic variation in Abelmoschus esculentus tissue cultures toward drought tolerance. An increase in the mean response % in callus induction using leaf explant of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) cultured on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium (MS) supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of Thidiazuron (TDZ), Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and Benzyl adenine (BA). The response percentage to callus formation was different and ranged from 10 to 100%. The highest response of callus induction achieved 100% at 3 mg/L NAA supplemented with 0.5 mg/L BA. Results showed that the highest callus fresh weight for maintenance medium was achieved at 2.0 mg/L NAA and 2.0 mg/L BA. Results showed that more calli with root being produced but no shoot regeneration or embryogenesis obtained. Callus cultures were subjected to drought stress using different concentrations of mannitol 0.0, 100, 200 or 300 g/L. Cultures were also subjected to UV-C radiation with UV-C 1.5 kJ m-2 for 0, 30, or 60 min then re-cultured on MS medium supplemented with 0.0, 100, 200 or 300 g/L of mannitol. Callus fresh weight was recorded, mean callus fresh weight decreased with increasing mannitol concentration reached 91 mg at 300 g/L mannitol, while reached 198 mg in control. On the other hand, the highest value of callus fresh weight reached 139 mg at the concentration 100 g/L of mannitol only without UV treatment. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used for analyzing differences in gene expression in cultures exposed to drought (stressed) and unstressed (control) of okra calli. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) gene that encodes for drought tolerance was investigated in okra plant, which can be considered an indicator for drought tolerance, and this gene has not been studied before in the okra plant after searching in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In building constructions, due to the decrease of local raw materials and for sustainability purpose, beside the need of light pieces to be used in roofing and false ceiling; an alkali-activated mortar is the new development where pozzolanic material is used instead of cement and activated by an alkaline solution. Therefore, in this research, alkali-activated mortar containing unexpanded clay as a fine aggregate with a dry density of 1652 kg/m3, compressive strength of 3.2 MPa, and thermal conductivity of 0.4 (W/m.K) was produced, also boards were performed in a dimension of 305×152×12 mm as to use them in false ceiling, and reinforced with 0.25 and 0.5% steel fibre to improve their toughness by 370.8% and 1146.1% compared with reference boards, which made them good choice to used them in roofing and secondary ceiling. Design/methodology/approach: For preparation of alkali-activated mortar, low calcium fly ash (FA) was used as a source binder material. In addition, super-plasticizer and unexpanded clay as a fine aggregate (produce from the crushed artificial aggregate) in the ratio of 1:2.75 fly ash/fine aggregate. The paste was prepared by mixing fly ash with an alkali silicate solution, in a solid-to-liquid ratio of 0.4. Alkali silicate activator was prepared by mixing the NaOH and Na2SiO3 solutions at the mass ratios of 2.5. The concentrations of the NaOH was the same molarity of (14M). To improve the mechanical properties of the reference mortar mixture, steel fibre with 0.25 and 0.5% content were added to the mix. The specimens were tested for water absorption, dry density, compressive strength, flexural strengths, flexural toughness, and thermal conductivity, in addition to the Scanning Electron Microscope test (SEM) for all mortar mixes. Alkali-activated mortar boards with (305×152×12 mm) were prepared and tested for flexural strength and toughness. Findings: The results indicated that the modulus of rupture for mortar boards reinforced with 0.25 and 0.5% steel fibre exhibits an increase of (3.68-12.10)%. In comparison, the toughness is increased by about 370.8% and 1146.1%, respectively, as compared with the reference mortar (without fibre) which made them resistance to accident, in addition to use them in roofing due to their thermal insulation. Research limitations/implications: Further research is needed to make a similar board using another sustainable material. We can examine the thermal insulation that we can get from these board, especially in the building in Iraq which the weather faces high temperatures. Practical implications: There is a by-product that we could get from the electricity station in Iraq. We must study how we get rid of it. Originality/value: This paper investigate how to produce a new light board using artificial aggregate made from unexpanded clay, which has many benefits in building insulation roofing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinity contributes greatly to deterioration of agricultural lands in central and southern Iraq. So it is necessary to know the prevailing salts, as a large part of them are harmful to plants in terms of germination and completion of their life cycle, as well as soil deterioration. Study area was chosen and it is a part of Al-Maimuna project, which is located in southern Iraq - Maysan Governorate, between latitudes ("00 30 310 -"00 45 310) and longitudes ("45 460 -"00 470). The area of project is about 200,000 dunams. One of the spatial interpolation methods was used to produce salinity maps in a GIS environment. Results indicated that the study area is affected by salinity, as it reached lowest value of salinity ranging from 3.83-13.58 dSm-1, with an area estimated at about 3% of study area amounting to 2,061,37086 m2, while highest value of salinity was ranging from 72.56 to 114.92 dSm-1, with an area estimated at 40%. As for salinity values that ranged from 27.69 to 57.42 dSm-1, it occupied a rate ranging from 57% and the presence of different types of salts prevailed in study area, carbonates, chlorides, sulfates and nitrates are of different sizes. Results showed that amount of Calcium carbonate in study area is almost nonexistent, while the values of gypsum were high compared to Calcium carbonate salt, present quantities of Calcium nitrate salt ranging from 0.8-63 meq.l-1, values of Calcium bicarbonate salts that covered study area ranged between 0.56 - 7.6 meq.l-1. In addition, the study area was affected by Chloride salts, as the salts represented by Calcium chloride, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Chloride and Magnesium Chloride predominated with values ranging from 160.34 - 239.94, 0.2 - 430, 0.1-19 and 0.1 - 375 meq.l-1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid bilayer heterojunction (DLC) thin-film P-type as an active donor layer and (Si) thin-film n-type as an acceptor with (Electron Transport Layer), were fabricated using Qswitching Nd-YAG Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) method under vacuum condition 10-3 torr on two electrodes for (AL) Aluminum material is used to construct the hydride bilayer heterojunction photovoltaic solar cell (PVSC). The electrical properties of hybrid heterojunction Al / DLC / SI / AL thin film were studied. The result showed the voltage of open circuit (Vm=0.145V), a short circuit (Jm=9.3mA/cm2), and the fill factor (FF) of (0.4709), with Xenon lamp with an intensity (235mw/cm2), the conversion efficiency (?=3.54%) at thickness(75nm). While the theoretical calculations and optimization of the HETEROJUNCTION confirmed the possibility of using it as a successful solar cell, the calculation of the small energy gap and thus the high electrical conductivity, and the determination of the type of charge carriers(p), as well as some electronic properties such as electrostatic potential surfaces and 3-D electron density, hardness, softness and electrophilicity, were clarified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to estimate the skin radiation dose received by adults' patients undergoing most common eight X-ray examinations. The study was conducted in three hospitals in three different Iraqi cities: Najaf, Babylon and Salah AL-Din. A minimum number of 10 patients were considered for each type of X-ray examination in each hospital. The skin radiation dose calculation was performed by mathematical equation using exposure factors, namely, X-ray tube voltage (kVp), tube loading (mAs) and source-skin distance (SSD). The skin radiation dose values were obtained for all patients involved in this study who undergoing skull (AP and Lat), cervical (Lat), chest (PA), abdomen (AP), lumbar (Lat), pelvis (AP) and knee (AP) examinations. The resulted data were analyzed and compared with international reference doses. The average skin radiation dose ± standard deviation (SD) for the three hospitals were 0.77±0.43mGy for skull (AP), 0.66±0.39mGy for skull (Lat), 0.63±0.34mGy for cervical (Lat), 0.28±0.25mGy for chest (PA), 4.36±2.92 mGy for abdomen (AP), 4.37±2.30mGy for lumbar (Lat), 1.65±1.09mGy for pelvis (AP) and 0.40±0.25 mGy for knee (AP) examinations. For majority of the considered radiographic examinations Balad general hospital recorded the highest skin radiation dose. Overall most of the recorded radiation doses were within the internationally acceptable dose levels with some variations amongst different hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computer is very important in our life and they get into all fields. So, in this research computer’s application will be used and it's importantly in recognition and classification plants' leaves, because of fewness of plants' classification experts. The used data base includes (35) types of different special plants after preprocessing on these pictures, the primal processing includes two practicals’: (picture enhancement and verges determine for image). In addition, we extract a group of geometrical features of plants' leaves depending on out wardness surround for leaf. Ten features are extracted. Euclidian for each leaf contains (surround, distance, center, main diameter, second diameter, and Extrema points). Traditional distance is used for measuring distance between any two points. Then, the leaf of plant is recognized using Algorithm C4.5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steel connections play a significant part in enhancing the robustness of structures in the event of a fire. Therefore, it is important to examine the impact of steel connections on the fire resistance of composite steel framed buildings. In this paper, both the behaviour of steel connections and their effect on composite steel frames are analysed using the non-linear finite element computer software VULCAN at various temperatures. The chosen frame is subjected to ISO834 fire. A comparison between end plate connections, pinned connection and rigid connection has been carried out. By applying different compartment fires, some cases are studied to show the behaviour of steel connection when the fire is applied at certain beams. In addition, different plate thickness has been analysed to examine the behaviour of the chosen steel connection under ISO834 fire. From the analytical results, it was found that the beam with extended end plate is stronger and has better performance in terms of axial forces than those beams with flush end-plate connection. Furthermore, that extended end plate connection has highest limiting temperatures compared to the flush end plate connection. In addition, it was observed that the performance of end-plate connections is very close to rigid connection and very far from pinned connections. Furthermore, plate thickness has less of an effect on the influence of steel connection in regards to fire resistance. The article will conclude that the behaviour of composite steel framed buildings is largely dependent on the steel connection due to their high impact under fire condition. It is recommended to consider the extended end-plate in the design proposals because of its higher fire resistant properties compared to the flush end-plate connection. Finally, this paper shows that steel connection has an important effect on the fire resistance of composite steel framed buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]