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The Iraqi government and people are not fully aware of the importance of renewable energy, so developing renewable energy technology in the region is primarily and a result of individual’s initiatives and non-governmental organizations instead of official policy. The fossil fuel is not limitless though in the next hundred years will be vanished, the only continuous resource is the solar energy as a solution to hinder the CO2 emission from various sources of fossil and biofuel. The solar energy requires an immediate attention due to the climatic change that affects the global warming. Iraq is a region rich in solar energy, where the sun’s brightness increases more than 3300 hours a year. The solar radiation falling in the desert areas of Iraq, which now accounts for more than 60% of the country’s area. 437072 km2 is equal to hundreds of thousands of times the total energy generated in this country. This is given Iraq a hand to stay as an energy supplier in the future as well as the present supplier of energy in the form of fossil fuel. Iraq consists of 18 provinces, three of which are in the northern province of the Kurdistan region and each province has the powers of semi-independent and special budget allocated by the central government where the provincial councils can invest part of this budget in the establishment of solar power stations, especially the provinces that suffer from lack of energy through the exploitation of other areas (deserts) to create such stations. the middle and south of Iraq have an averaged from16 to 10 MJ/m2/day for 5 months in the north, 6 months in the middle and southern region, respectively. But in western desert of Al-Anbar district almost have 8 month of sun shine duration while the lowest is over 4 MJ/m2/day. This energy is quite sufficient to drive all thermal photovoltaics (PV), Integrated Solar Combined Cycle (ISCC) plant and all houses hold facilities of heating, cooling and water distillation along the year.

Iraq has a big shortage in the electrical system and this is because of repeated wars that have destroyed the country’s economy and infrastructure. In order to improve the situation and progress of the country we see that the exploitation of huge and neglected land, where Iraq has a very featured site can make it a factory for the production of electric power through the exploitation of the vast areas as fields of cells and solar plants to produce electricity. Iraq is characterized by the number of sunny hours during the year and estimated more than 3300 hours. Also, the solar radiation in Iraq, which exceeds 2000 kWh/m2. Where the production of electricity enough to meet the needs of Iraq and neighboring countries. In this paper we will discuss the development of gas station in southern Iraq by taking advantage of the sun’s rays falling and recycling of combustion products from the gas station. The plant consists of 200MW conventional gas turbine plant and two steam turbines of 75MW and 65MW powered by the solar field and gas turbine exhaust. With high insolation during the summer month of June the plant can achieve up to 25% of solar fraction with Integrated Solar Combined Cycle (ISCC) plant.

* Backgrounds The retention of the maxillary complete denture may be influenced by adequate recording in the patient’s mouth, marking, and carving of the post-dam on the maxillary cast. Failure to do so may lead to loss of retention. Successful denture construction with patient’s comfort could be achieved by effective methods of recording, marking, and carving of the post-dam. The aim of the study was to assess Iraqi dentists in their knowledge and application of the post-dam in maxillary complete dentures. Methods Questionnaires were distributed randomly through online Google Forms and 118 Iraqi dentists with different academic degree participated in the study. A multinomial logistic regression model was also used to assess the nominal outcome variables. Results A High percentage of 90.7% of Iraqi dentists with different academic degree stated that they had the knowledge about the vibrating lines and their location and 84.7% stated that they mark the post-dam on the master cast, while 15.3% stated that the dental technician marks it. More the half (52.5%) of the participants carved the post-dam, while 47.5% of the participants stated that the dental technician did it. For participants not marking the post-dam, 30.5% of the participants stated they depend on the dental technician in marking and/or carve the post-dam, while the fear of denture failure and loss of retention was observed in 25.4% of the participants, followed by 24.6% of participants forgetting to carve, 10.2% of participants had no information about carving, and 9.3% participants found it was difficult to carve. Conclusions Within the limitations of the study, most Iraqi dentists with different academic degree stated that they had the knowledge on the location of vibrating lines. However, recording and carving the post-dam was influenced by the dentist’s personal preference and their dependency on the dental technician.

Background Tolosa-Hunt syndrome is a rare neuroinflammatory disease that affects the cavernous sinus and superior orbital fissure, resulting in symptoms of neuropathy. Case presentation We report a case of a 35-year-old male patient with no past medical history who presented to the emergency department (ED) complaining of a four-day history of progressively increasing headaches associated with right eye pain and double vision. A physical examination showed findings suggestive of abducens nerve palsy. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed subtle asymmetric thickening of the right cavernous sinus, which prompted further investigation by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. The MRI scan showed intensely enhanced soft tissue thickening in the right cavernous sinus region, slightly extending to the right orbital apex, which caused enlargement of the cavernous sinus and appeared isointense to the adjacent muscles on T1 and T2. The diagnosis of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome was made after the exclusion of all other possible pathologies. The patient received prednisolone therapy; his symptoms improved, and he was discharged after three days. Two weeks later, the patient presented again to the ED with the same symptoms and was treated symptomatically. Conclusions This case highlights a very rare etiology for painful ophthalmoplegia, which is Tolosa-Hunt syndrome. Thickening of the cavernous sinus on MRI images with a background history of painful ophthalmoplegia and headache should raise clinician’s suspicion towards the disease. In addition, exclusion of other possible causes is very important, as Tolosa-Hunt syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to compare response inhibition and cognitive appraisal in clients with acute stress disorder, clients with posttraumatic stress disorder, and normal individuals .Method:This was a comparative study. The sample consisted of 40 clients with acute stress disorder, 40 patients with posttraumatic stress disorder, and 40 normal individuals from Mazandaran province selected through convenience sampling method. Data were collected using Composite International Diagnostic Interview, Stroop Color-Word Test, Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory, and the Impact of Event Scale. Results:Results showed that individuals with acute stress disorder are less able to inhibit inappropriate responses and have more impaired cognitive appraisals compared to those with posttraumatic stress disorder. Moreover, results showed that response inhibition and cognitive appraisal explain 75% of the variance in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and 38% of the variance in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms .Conclusion:The findings suggest that response inhibition and cognitive appraisal are two variables that influence the severity of posttraumatic stress disorder and acute stress disorder symptoms. Also, these results have important implications for pathology, prevention, and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder and acute stress disorder

Malaysia has a national goal to eliminate malaria by 2020. Understanding the genetic diversity of malaria parasites in residual transmission foci can provide invaluable information which may inform the intervention strategies used to reach elimination targets. This study was conducted to determine the genetic diversity level of P. falciparum isolates in malaria residual foci areas of Sabah. Malaria active case detection was conducted in Kalabakan and Kota Marudu. All individuals in the study sites were screened for malaria infection by rapid diagnostic test. Blood from P. falciparum-infected individuals were collected on filter paper prior to DNA extraction. Genotyping was performed using merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1), merozoite surface protein-2 (MSP-2), glutamate rich protein (GLURP) and 10 neutral microsatellite loci markers. The size of alleles, multiplicity of infection (MOI), mean number of alleles (Na), expected heterozygosity (He), linkage disequilibrium (LD) and genetic differentiation (FST) were determined. In Kalabakan, the MSP-1 and MSP-2 alleles were predominantly K1 and FC27 family types, respectively. The GLURP genotype VI (751-800 bp) was predominant. The MOI for MSP-1 and MSP-2 were 1.65 and 1.20, respectively. The Na per microsatellite locus was 1.70. The He values for MSP-1, MSP-2, GLURP and neutral microsatellites were 0.17, 0.37, 0.70 and 0.33, respectively. In Kota Marudu, the MSP-1 and MSP-2 alleles were predominantly MAD20 and 3D7 family types, respectively. The GLURP genotype IV (651-700 bp) was predominant. The MOI for both MSP-1 and MSP-2 was 1.05. The Na per microsatellite locus was 3.60. The He values for MSP-1, MSP-2, GLURP and neutral microsatellites were 0.24, 0.25, 0.69 and 0.30, respectively. A significant LD was observed in Kalabakan (0.495, p

Objective: There are many studies indicating the role of psychological factors in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disorders. Type D as a new personality construct has been proposed by Denollet, characterized by the joint global traits including negative affectivity and social inhibition. The purpose of this study was to examine the link between type D personality and hyperlipidemia in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Materials and Methods: One hundred and seventy-six consecutive patients admitted to the cardiac care unit (CCU) wards of nine hospitals in Isfahan, Iran, following MI, were selected based on the inclusive and exclusive criteria. The patients completed demographic questionnaire and Type D Personality Scale (DS14). Their medical data were obtained from medical records. Chi-squared test, Student′s t-test, and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Results: Of the 176 subjects, 63 patients (35.8%) were type D. In univariate analysis, hyperlipidemia was the only significant variable (56% vs. 40%, P = 0.041) found to be associated with type D. Also, by multivariable logistic regression analysis, hyperlipidemia [Odds Ratio (OR) 0.374; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.175-0.796] was the only independently significant variable found to be linked with type D personality. No other statistically significant differences were found between the two groups on demographic and medical factors characteristics. Conclusion: The type D personality was associated with hyperlipidemia. Thus, personality factors may make people vulnerable to metabolic syndromes.

Introduction: Entrance to university is accompanied with major changes in social relationships, expectations and roles that make the students susceptible for mental problems. The aim of this study was to determine the association between mental health and educational stressful factors among students of Kerman Nursing and Midwifery School. Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out on all students selected by census (325 students) studying in Kerman Nursing and Midwifery School in year 2008. The data were collected through General Health Questionnair (GHQ-28) and a researcher made questionnaire on demographic and educational stressful factors. The data were analyzed by SPSS13 through descriptive and analytical (χ2 and Pearson correlation tests) statistics. Significance level was set as P≤0.05. Results: Out of 300 students studied , 28% were suspected to have psychological disorders. These disorders were 28.9% and 26.5% among females and males respectively. There was a statistical correlation between mental health and previous physical illnesses (p

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the influence of high-intensity intermittent exercise and carbohydrate supplementation on cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) in soc-cer players. Methods: Twelve elite soccer players were selected and divided equally into three groups of carbohydrate (CHO), placebo (P) and control (C). Blood samples were taken in six phases and were analyzed with the chemiluminescence method. Results: Results showed that three bouts of 90-min exercise along with carbohydrate supplementation did not have any significant effect on the level of cTnI indices. However, there was a significant differ-ence in CK-MB values after the second and third sessions compared with the first day (P < 0.05). Conclusion: In summary, exercises with less duration and intensity like soccer do not seem to be effective on cTnI and CK-MB. When the overall intensity of exercise was moderate, it appeared that carbohy-drate supplementation had less effect on the alteration of biochemical markers of the myocardial muscle.

Concrete is a very popular material in the construction industry—it is, however, susceptible to quasi-brittle failure and restricted energy absorption after yielding. The incorporation of short discrete fibers has shown great promise in addressing these shortfalls. A natural fiber such as sisal is renewable, cheap, and easily available. It has also exhibited good tensile strength and can significantly improve the performance of concrete. In this study, the physical and mechanical properties of sisal fiber-reinforced concrete were reported. Sisal fibers were added in the mix at percentages of 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0% by weight of cement. Physical properties measured are workability, water absorption, and density while mechanical properties reported are compression strength, split tensile strength, and static modulus of elasticity. The computed modulus of elasticity of sisal fiber-reinforced concrete was compared with predicted values in some common design codes. From the study, it was concluded that sisal fiber can enhance the split tensile strength and Young’s modulus of concrete but cannot improve its workability, water absorption, and compressive strength.

Background & Objective : Need assessment is can be applied as a tool for a better usage by managers and designers of Continuous Medical Education (CME) programs Hence this study was conducted to assess general practitioners viewpoints about Continuous Medical Education Programs held in Zanjan University of Medical Education Methods : This descriptive study was conducted on all general practitioners of Zanjan province (450 persons) but only 260 ones participated by filling in the questionnaires Results : The motive to participate in CME programs in 462% of the participants was gaining credit points while updating scientific information was reported in 388% of them 588 percent of the physicians believed that the effect of CME programs was moderate to high 565% wanted 5 to 10 CME programs a year The influence of CME programs place was high to very high according to 642% of the participants 512 percent preferred weekends whereas 407% preferred daily fourhour programs 588 percent were in favor of holding pretests and posttests to determine the qualitative effect of the program Conclusion : According to general practitioners CME programs could be more effective So it is recommended to hold these programs at the weekends one day a week and four hours a day Five to ten programs are also suggested in a year

Gynecological malignancies currently affect about 3.5 million women all over the world. Imaging of uterine, cervical, vaginal, ovarian, and vulvar cancer still presents several unmet needs when using conventional modalities such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance, and standard positron emission tomography (PET)/CT. Some of the current diagnostic limitations are represented by differential diagnosis between inflammatory and cancerous findings, detection of peritoneal carcinomatosis and metastases

(Received 22 Aug, 2008; Accepted 24 Sep, 2008) Abstract Background and purpose: In spite of the increasing progress in tumor treatment by current methods like surgery, chemotherapy and etc, medical sciences are unable to treat tumors. In this respect, immunology has opened a new window for tumor treatment; nowadays tumor immunotherapy is an accepted strategy for treatment of some tumors at least in some animal models. The goal of this study is the evaluation of immunotherapy using gp96- tumor peptide complex and its combination with naloxon as an opioid receptor antagonist to achieve of cellular immunity against tumorsMaterials and methods: In this study firstly, gp96 – tumor peptide complexes were purified from WEHI164 cells line using srivastava method. In the next stage, the mice, made tumoric befor by the injection of tumor cells, then were divided in to four groups. Control group were injected by PBS, test group1 were injected by naloxon, test group2 were injected by gp96 – tumor peptide complex and test group3 were injected by combination of naloxon and gp96 – tumor peptide complex. To evaluation the efficacy of vaccination, after several days, tumor volume was recorded; then the mice were killed and the spleanic cells were extracted in sterile condition. MTT test was done for cells proliferation study. Supernatant of cultured cells were collected and assayed by ELISA kits for measuring IL-4 and IFN-γ.Results: Result of protein purification had showen , purified gp96 Isoform has Molecular Weight of 66 kilo dalton.Results of tumor volume had shown that, there is no significant difference between test and control groups. Results of MTT test had shown that, there is no significant difference between test and control groups. IL-4 assay study had showed that, there is no significant difference between test group1, group2 and control group but test group3 has significantly decreased in IL-4 amount when compared with control group. Results of IFN-γ assay showed that, there is no significant difference between test group1 and control group, but test group2 and group3 has significantly increased in IFN-γ amount when compared with control group.Conclusion: It can be concluded from this study is that, prophylactic immunotherapy of tumor by combination of gp96-tumor peptide complex and naloxon, can increase IFN-γ, and, probably in a higher dosage, it may stimulate immune system more to become more potent to even decrease tumor volume. J Mazand Univ Med Sci 2008; 18(66): 1-9 (Persian)

Fabry disease is an X-linked inborn error of glycolipid metabolism caused by deficiency of the human lysosomal enzyme, α-galactosidase A (αGal), leading to strokes, myocardial infarctions, and terminal renal failure, often leading to death in the fourth or fifth decade of life. The enzyme is responsible for the hydrolysis of terminal α-galactoside linkages in various glycolipids. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) has been approved for the treatment of Fabry disease, but adverse reactions, including immune reactions, make it desirable to generate improved methods for ERT. One approach to circumvent these adverse reactions is the development of derivatives of the enzyme with more activity per mg. It was previously reported that carboxyl-terminal deletions of 2 to 10 amino acids led to increased activity of about 2 to 6-fold. However, this data was qualitative or semi-quantitative and relied on comparison of the amounts of mRNA present in Northern blots with αGal enzyme activity using a transient expression system in COS-1 cells. Here we follow up on this report by constructing and purifying mutant enzymes with deletions of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 C-terminal amino acids (Δ2, Δ4, Δ6, Δ8, Δ10) for unambiguous quantitative enzyme assays. The results reported here show that the kcat/Km approximately doubles with deletions of 2, 4, 6 and 10 amino acids (0.8 to 1.7-fold effect) while a deletion of 8 amino acids decreases the kcat/Km (7.2-fold effect). These results indicate that the mutated enzymes with increased activity constructed here would be expected to have a greater therapeutic effect on a per mg basis, and could therefore reduce the likelihood of adverse infusion related reactions in Fabry patients receiving ERT treatment. These results also illustrate the principle that in vitro mutagenesis can be used to generate αGal derivatives with improved enzyme activity.

Abstract Introduction: During their long period of study, medical students face a large variety of texts and contents which require adequate time and an organized plan to study. This study was performed to determine medical students’ study skills and habits in Zanjan Medical University. Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, all medical students in different years of study (n=220) were selected in 2004. A valid and reliable questionnaire including demographic characteristics and 24 questions with 5 point Likert scale ranging from completely agree to completely disagree was distributed as group administered. Lower scores indicated more appropriate study skills and habits. Data analysis was done by SPSS software through calculating Median, and performing Mann Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis. Results: The median scores for the skills of time management, concentration, reading speed, note taking, study habits and comprehension were 2.75, 2.25, 2, 1.75, 1.75, and 1.5 out of 4, respectively. Male students had significantly better concentration, time management and comprehension than female students. Interns had better condition in time management compared with other students. There was no significant difference between the median scores according to different living places. Conclusion: Medical students had better situation in study habits, comprehension and note taking. Regarding gender, male students had better condition in some skills compared to female students. Teaching study skills as workshop or course credit, can help medical students in better learning and understanding.

Positron emission tomography (PET) has been utilized in numerous aspects of medicine since its introduction and development in 1970s. There has been a rapid improvement in imaging techniques and radiotracers in the last decade, which have enhanced the quality of PET in different biomedical research domains and patient care settings. In this editorial we will discuss applications of PET-computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as well as other radiotracers in different variety of malignant and non-malignant diseases such as cardiovascular, central nervous system, inflammatory and systemic diseases and review new concepts applicable to this imaging modality.

O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a análise visual dos exames de FDG-PET com uma análise semi-quantitativa no diagnóstico da esclerose mesial temporal (EMT). MÉTODOS: Este estudo incluiu 21 pacientes com confirmação histopatológica de EMT. Os dados referentes à análise visual foram obtidos dos relatórios dos exames. As imagens de FDG-PET foram analisadas de forma semi-quantitativa utilizando-se regiões de interesse (ROIs) desenhadas em 19 cortes tomográficos perpendiculares ao maior eixo do lobo temporal. Estas ROIs dividiram cada um dos lobos temporais em três regiões (lateral, inferior e medial). Um índice de assimetria foi calculado para cada região. RESULTADOS: A análise visual dos exames de FDG-PET demonstrou assimetria no metabolismo em todos os pacientes. Todos, menos 1 dos pacientes foram submetidos a lobectomia temporal do tipo standard do lado descrito como hipometabólico pelo exame de FDG-PET. Utilizando como critério um índice de assimetria maior ou igual a 9% em ao menos uma das regiões, a análise semi-quantitativa demonstrou assimetria considerada significativa em 18 pacientes. Esta assimetria coincidiu com o lado da cirurgia e foi confirmada como correspondente à área de eslerose em todos menos um dos pacientes (o mesmo paciente citado acima). CONCLUSÃO: A análise semi-quantitativa não forneceu qualquer informação adicional em relação à interpretação visual das imagens nesta série de pacientes.

In this research CCl4 as a lubricant is used for machining copper specimens. It was noticed that CCl4 has many effective effects at low machining speed, as well the effect at highspeed cutting vanished which is coincided with the results obtained by the researchers workedin this field and giving the cause of their results either for lubricant penetration loss at theinterface between the chip 0.005 m/sec, the cutting ratio (r) increases by more than 23% anddecreases to 7% at a cutting speed of 0.08 m/sec, on other hand the friction angle decreasesfrom about 37% to 11% as the cutting speed increases from 0.005 m/sec to 0.08 m/sec.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a extensão do hipometabolismo cerebral em pacientes com esclerose mesial temporal (EMT). MÉTODO: Este estudo retrospectivo incluiu 21 pacientes que apresentavam epilepsia parcial complexa refrataria à terapia e que foram selecionados para cirurgia após análise extensa que incluía: EEG de superfície e estudos de neuroimagem (PET, SPECT e ressonância magnética). Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a intervenção cirúrgica e tiveram confirmação histológica de EMT. Uma análise semi-quantitativa foi realizada, utilizando regiões de interesse (ROIs) nas seguintes estruturas: lobos frontais, parietais e occipitais, gânglios da base, tálamos, cerebelo e três diferentes regiões nos lobos temporais, que compreendiam o córtex medial, inferior e lateral. Um índice de assimetria (IA) foi calculado, comparando as contagens por pixel nas estruturas homólogas em ambos os hemisférios cerebrais. Os IAs das diferentes estruturas foram então correlacionados. RESULTADOS: Uma correlação significativa foi demonstrada entre os IAs do córtex medial dos lobos temporais e aqueles dos lobos frontais, dos lobos parietais, dos gânglios da base e dos tálamos (r = 0,72, 0,62, 0,47 e 0,47 respectivamente com p < 0,05 ). Foi demonstrada correlação altamente significativa dos IAs das 3 regiões do lobo temporal entre si (chegando a 0,86 entre os IAs das regiões mediais do lobo temporal e os IAs das regiões inferiores). CONCLUSÃO: Esses dados indicam que o hipometabolismo se estende além do foco epiléptico no lobo temporal em pacientes com epilepsia parcial complexa relacionada a EMT. O metabolismo na porção medial do lobo temporal é mais correlacionado com o metabolismo no lobo frontal do que com aquele de outras estruturas cerebrais externas aos lobos temporais. Os mecanismos fisiopatológicos envolvidos no hipometabolismo continuam controversos.

Leaves of different tree species were leached with distilled water (pH 7.0 plus or minus 0.2) and rain water (pH 5.7 plus or minus 0.3) in laboratory glass cylinders to simulate the release of phosphorous (P) pollutant to urban runoff. An average of 106 plus or minus 52.1 g g-1 and 143 plus or minus 72.7 g g-1 (air dried weight) of P were leachable from entire leaves in 2_ hours in distilled water and rain water, respectively; these represented 7.21% and 11.36%, respectively, of the total P in the leaves analyzed. The amount of leachable and total leaf P varied significantly (p < 0.05) among tree species but were not significantly (p < 0.05) affected by tree diameters. Fragmented leaves released more than twice as much phosphorous as intact leaves. These findings point to leaves as a source of urban runoff P.