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This study sought to estimate the heavy elements, lead, iron, zinc, manganese, cadmium, and copper in cultivated and uncultivated soils of Basrah, Iraq. Results showed that the concentration of elements in all locations was within permissible limits on surface layers, which were higher in concentration than in deep layers due to the elements’ internal transport, natural, some physical and chemical properties, i.e., pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and organic matter (OM). The soil acidity ranged between 7.70- 7.25 and 7.88-7.25 for cultivated and uncultivated soils, respectively. As for the electrical conductivity, it has a range between 2.70-10.16 and 3.13-23 dS.m-1 Organic matter extended between 0.269-1.500 and 0.349-0.816. The elements in cultivated soils were lesser than in the uncultivated grounds. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) results at the 5% significance level showed no remarkable differences in the concentration of the studied elements, while significant variations appeared in the copper content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine the teaching methods. strategies, and techniques that are being practiced by high school science teachers , H.S.S.T., in Saudi Arabia and in the U.S.A. To achieve this purpose, a questionnaire of 22 items , methods, was developed. After assuring its validity and reliability, it was administered to 79 U.S.A. H.S.S.T. , in its English version, , and to 103 Saudi Arabian H.S.S.T. , in its Arabic version, . The results revealed that: 1, There are significant differences , at the 0.01 level, between the U.S.A. li.S.S.T. and the Saudi H.S.S.T. in their use of the methods investigated. 2, The predominant methods of teaching were discussion and lecturing in both countries. Televised science instruction and role playing were never used among the two groups in their teaching. 3, There were seven more methods used in the U.S. schools on a daily and/or weekly basis. They are: student homework, inquiry and discovery, problem solving, laboratory and hands-on methods, demonstrations, tests and quizzes, and individual assignments. 4, Four methods were found to be practiced in Saudi Arabian schools on a monthly basis. They are: problem solving. demonstration, tests and quizzes, and inquiry/discovery techniques. However, there were two methods practiced in the U.S. schools on a monthly basis. They are: student reports and projects, and practical lab tests and quizzes. 5, From the 22 science teaching methods investigated, 16 teaching methods were not practiced except ocassionally, in the Saudi high schools, while 11 teaching methods were not practiced in the Ui S. high schools. Finally, the study provided some recommendations to improve science teaching practices.

The geographical area of the province of Aceh which is bordered by the oceans and only has land connection with the province of North Sumatra has made Aceh dependsgreatly on this neighboring province. In fact, The north zone of aceh covering Lhokseumawe City, North Aceh Regency and Bireuen Regency crossed by Sea Lane of Communication (Sloc), the Malacca Strait has geo-economic advantages. This study aims to analyze and assess the correlationbetweenHighway Network Connectivity with Regional Development of thezone. This research was done by conducting field surveys, interviews, questionnaires and data analysis on the The north zone of aceh, covering Lhokseumawe, North Aceh, Bireuen, Bener Meriah and Central Aceh districts. The analysis was done by using Structural Equation Modeling / SEM. Regression Weight results show that the relationship between Highway Network Connectivity variableand Region Development is 0.546. This study concludes that the Highway Network Connectivity has the strongest or most significant relation to Regional Development activities, therefore it can be suggested for the Aceh provincial, district and municipal governments in the zonetomakehighway network policies to be oriented towards the development of new economic zones and supporting the implementation of Special Economic Zones of Arun Lhokseumawe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Egypt has been strickenby several extreme weather events during the last decades. The most famous heat wave was during winter season of 2010 and summer season of 2015. Global climate change will cause serious impacts on agriculture in the future. The aim of this study was to investigate heat wave events during the period from 1980up to 2015 in 3 governorates in Egypt. Major agricultural climatic regions were represented in this study; Behira governorate represents North Delta, Giza governorate represents Middle Egypt and Qena represents Upper Egypt. Monthly maximum and minimum air temperature were recorded in all governorates during the study period. The highest monthly maximum air temperature was recorded in summer season was in August 2015 followed by August 2012. Qena Governorate had the highest maximum air temperature followed by Giza Governorate while the lowest maximum air temperature was recorded in El-Behira Governorate. The daily maximum air temperature of the highest months was investigated to determine severe period of heat waves during these months. On the other hand, the highest extreme heat waves were recorded in winter season of 2010. In addition, monthly mean relative humidity percentage was collected for the same concerned governorates. The productivity of two of the major cereal crops in Egypt, during the heat waves events, were estimated during winter as well as summer seasons. The highest reduction of productivity for wheat and maize was recorded in Upper Egypt followed by Middle Egypt; while the lowest reduction was recorded in North Delta for wheat (winter season) and maize (summer season). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Soil Sciences & Agricultural Engineering is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Experimental trials were conducted on four different vegetable Solanaceae crops; namely tomato, white eggplant, spicy pepper and potato throughout 2013 early summer growing season at the Agricultural Research Center Experimental Station (Qaha), Qalyoubia Governorate, Egypt. Results revealed that the combined effect of the three weather factors (i.e. maximum and minimum temperatures and relative humidity) did not fully explained the variance in the population density over time. Explained variance (EV) was 19.98, 62.23, 60.62 and 59.7% for tomato, eggplant, pepper and potato plants, respectively. Considering plant phenology as plant age (X) (presented by three degree polynomial equation, Y= a + b1X+ b2X²+ b3X³) revealed the most relation to the variance in population. EV was 49.67, 90.58, 76 and 84.22% for tested plants, respectively. The added effect of weather factors to the plant age revealed EV as 74.32, 92.24, 83.45 and 94.02% for tomato, eggplant, pepper and potato plants, respectively. These added values did not seem to be significant. These results do not eliminate the effect of weather factors on the population dynamics. Under laboratory conditions; these factors may reveal a great deal of effect. Under field conditions these factors firstly affect the plant growth which makes the plant more palatable for infestation. So plant phenology as plant age took over the effect of weather factors mathematically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects that spinning technology and spinning parameters have on the color strength (K/S), strength, and breaking elongation of post dyed and mercerized yarns are investigated in this study. The emphasis of the study is on the selection of long stable Egyptian cotton varieties, namely Giza 80, Giza 86, and extra long stable Giza 92. The cotton samples are spun by using compact, ring, and open end spinning technologies. For the purpose of this study, different yarn counts and twist multipliers are used. The mechanical properties, such as the tensile strength and breaking elongation of the produced yarn are investigated and compared before and after the mercerization treatment (slack and tension), followed by a reactive dyeing process. All of the samples are prepared for dyeing after mercerization. The dyeing performance in terms of the K/S is studied. When the results are examined, it is found that the samples that have undergone (bleaching + slack mercerization + reactive dyeing) generally have higher K/S values than samples that have undergone (bleaching + tension mercerization + reactive dyeing) and (bleaching + non-mercerization + reactive dyeing) respectively. Open-end spun yarns have a higher K/S compared to the compact and ring spun yarns with the lowest count yarn and twist level. The strength percentages are higher for compact, then ring and finally open-end spun yarns respectively with tension mercerization. There is no noticeable difference in the elongation% for all of the treatment processes. The authors have used quality engineering reproducibility and repeatability (R&R) tools to guarantee the repeatability and reproducibility of the results in this research paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the effects of enzymatic treatment by acid and neutral cellulases after desizing and washing denim fabric. Tensile strength, elongation, stiffness, crease recovery angles and fastness properties of the samples were measured by standard methods. The chemical changes to the fabric samples were observed using the FTIR (Fourier Transformer Infra Red). Also, the surfaces of the treated samples were observed by the SEM (scanning electro microscope). The results show that all these treatments which gave the samples an age-worn appearance decreased the mechanical properties. Acid cellulase is the most aggressive enzyme for specially treated cloths, which proves that washing followed by applying neutral cellulase enzyme is the most suitable treatment for denim fabric. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cationization of cotton is an effective tool that solves environmental problems by using vat dyes. In this research, the cationizing efficiency of Cibafix WFF and PrefixK are studied to replace toxic conventional redox agents with ecofriendly alternatives. It is found to be a better method when compared with the conventional and existing method of vat dyeing of cotton. Conditions, such as concentration of cationizing agents, time, temperature and pH, are optimized. Such conditions show better color strength when compared with conventional dyeing methods. The effect of cationization on color strength and fastness is observed, and show higher value in both light and dark shades. The cationized samples show comparable quality and are cheaper in cost when compared with the normal vat dyeing method. Cationization of cotton with Cibafix WFF is found to be a successfully and commercially viable process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal is the property of World Health Organization and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)