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EFFECTS OF ROCK FRAGMENT ARCHITECTURE ON SOME SELECTED SOIL PROPERTIES IN A SEMIARID ENVIRONMENT
Get PDFStony soils cover a large portion of the Iraqi territory, particularly, the hilly and mountainous areas of Iraqi
Kurdistan Region. Albeit they are abundant, their properties are not well recognized. Accordingly, minilysimeter
and repacked plot experiments were conducted under open air at Sumail site-Duhok governorate –Kurdistan
regions. The main objectives were to study the architectural effect of rock fragments size, content and cover on
topsoil water conservation, surface soil temperature and infiltration rate. In each experiment the study factors were
two types of soil, different soil rock content/cover and different rock fragment size. The results of the
minilysimeter experiment signified that with a few exceptions, the retained soil water content over time under a
rock cover of 40% was superior to those under control and under a rock cover of 20% for the same rock size.
There are also indications that the effectiveness of rock cover in controlling evaporation decreases with an increase
in rock size. The soil temperature under rock mulching was lower than that of the control by 0.5 to about 2.5 oC
depending on the treatment combination. The results of the repacked plots also revealed that the infiltration rate
increased with increasing rock content up to 30% and began to decline beyond this level. The 2–4.75 mm rock
fragment treatment offered the highest average or basic infiltration rate compared with the other sizes under the
same level of soil rock fragment content
In-silico studies to recognize repurposing therapeutics toward arginase-I inhibitors as a potential onco-immunomodulators
Get PDFRudolf Virchow was the first person to point out the important link between immune function and cancer. He did this by noticing that leukocytes were often found in tumors. Overexpression of arginase 1 (ARG1) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) depletes both intracellular and extracellular arginine. TCR signalling is slowed as a result, and the same types of cells produce reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS), which aggravates the situation. Human arginase I is a double-stranded manganese metalloenzyme that helps L-arginine break down into L-ornithine and urea. Thus, a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis was performed to unearth the unrecognised structural aspects crucial for arginase-I inhibition. In this work, a balanced QSAR model with good prediction performance and clear mechanistic interpretation was developed using a dataset of 149 molecules encompassing a broad range of structural scaffolds and compositions. The model was made to meet OECD standards, and all of its validation parameters have values that are higher than the minimum requirements (R2tr = 0.89, Q2LMO = 0.86, and R2ex = 0.85). The present QSAR study linked structural factors to arginase-I inhibitory action, including the proximity of lipophilic atoms to the molecule’s centre of mass (within 3A), the position of the donor to the ring nitrogen (exactly 3 bonds away), and the surface area ratio. As OAT-1746 and two others are the only arginase-I inhibitors in development at the time, we have performed a QSAR-based virtual screening with 1650 FDA compounds taken from the zinc database. In this screening, 112 potential hit compounds were found to have a PIC50 value of less than 10 nm against the arginase-I receptor. The created QSAR model’s application domain was evaluated in relation to the most active hit molecules identified using QSAR-based virtual screening, utilising a training set of 149 compounds and a prediction set of 112 hit molecules. As shown in the Williams plot, the top hit molecule, ZINC000252286875, has a low leverage value of HAT i/i h* = 0.140, placing it towards the boundary of the usable range. Furthermore, one of 112 hit molecules with a docking score of −10.891 kcal/mol (PIC50 = 10.023 M) was isolated from a study of arginase-I using molecular docking. Protonated ZINC000252286875-linked arginase-1 showed 2.9 RMSD, whereas non-protonated had 1.8. RMSD plots illustrate protein stability in protonated and non-protonated ZINC000252286875-bound states. Protonated-ZINC000252286875-bound proteins contain 25 Rg. The non-protonated protein-ligand combination exhibits a 25.2-Rg, indicating compactness. Protonated and non-protonated ZINC000252286875 stabilised protein targets in binding cavities posthumously. Significant root mean square fluctuations (RMSF) were seen in the arginase-1 protein at a small number of residues for a time function of 500 ns in both the protonated and unprotonated states. Protonated and non-protonated ligands interacted with proteins throughout the simulation. ZINC000252286875 bound Lys64, Asp124, Ala171, Arg222, Asp232, and Gly250. Aspartic acid residue 232 exhibited 200% ionic contact. 500-ns simulations-maintained ions. Salt bridges for ZINC000252286875 aided docking. ZINC000252286875 created six ionic bonds with Lys68, Asp117, His126, Ala171, Lys224, and Asp232 residues. Asp117, His126, and Lys224 showed 200% ionic interactions. In protonated and deprotonated states, GbindvdW, GbindLipo, and GbindCoulomb energies played crucial role. Moreover, ZINC000252286875 meets all of the ADMET standards to serve as a drug. As a result, the current analyses were successful in locating a novel and potent hit molecule that inhibits arginase-I effectively at nanomolar concentrations. The results of this investigation can be used to develop brand-new arginase I inhibitors as an alternative immune-modulating cancer therapy
The Effect of Corporate Governance on Financial Performance: Evidence From a Shareholder-Oriented System
Get PDFDespite the vast literature, the relationship between corporate governance and firm performance is hotly debated in the research field of corporate finance. This study examined the effect of Corporate Governance (GC) on the performance of firms in non-financial sectors listed on the Frankfort Stock Exchange in Germany over the period 2002-2018. To this end, we measured firm performance based on accounting data, using ROA and ROE. The results provided evidence that the characteristics of the audit committee and board of directors have significant and negative effects on firm financial performance, whereas the effect of CEO duality is not statistically significant. Large board size could bring about the issue of deferred decision making by the board members in the insider-controlled CG system of Germany. Furthermore, IFRS adoption in 2005 was found to have a positive effect on firm performance. These results can raise considerable interest in managers and shareholders, precisely when they prioritize the financial performance of their companies
From Brushstrokes to Pixels: Analyzing the Evolution of Political Propaganda in Visual Media
Get PDFLeaders, particularly those associated with fascist ideologies, employ visual media as a tool to construct and propagate certain doctrines within the general populace. In this scholarly endeavor, our pursuit revolves around elucidating the profound interplay between art and photography as potent instruments of persuasive communication. First, readers will meet a brief historical background of both mechanisms. Later, in the literature review, several studies will be presented in which critics have shed light on art and photography as effective ways for political propaganda, by analyzing their synergistic relationship and impact on individuals. The argument will be integrated with the works of both Roland Bathes and Walter Benjamin. In the final part of this paper, we provide a few visual representations of both Western and Eastern political figures – King Henry VIII, Napoleon Bonaparte, Adolf Hitler, and Saddam Hussein – who have framed the population’s perception through the impact of their artistic weaponry
Traditional foraging for ecological transition? Wild food ethnobotany among three ethnic groups in the highlands of the eastern Hindukush, North Pakistan
Get PDFBackground
The Patrak Valley is home to communities, which have been inextricably linked with nature for generations, and local plant knowledge (LPK) represents an important part of their local cultural diversity. In general, globalization has come at the expense of local plant knowledge among several mountain societies, and therefore the current investigation has been undertaken to record the (possibly) last remaining wild food plant/mushroom foraging practices among Pathans, Kohistanis, and Gujjars living in the highlands of the Hindukush, North Pakistan.
Methods
Data on the uses of wild food plants and mushrooms (WFPs) were collected through 120 semi-structured interviews. The data were cross-culturally compared among the three linguistic groups. Venn diagrams were used to visualize the comparative analysis. To determine the patterns of similarities in plant use among the different ethnic groups, we used the Jaccard similarity index (JI). The recorded data were also compared with the existing Pakistani food ethnobotanical literature.
Results
A total of 68 WFPs were recorded, the majority of which were used as raw snacks and as cooked vegetables. Fruit was the most frequently reported plant part among the three researched groups. Cross-cultural comparison revealed that 37% of the used plants were commonly shared by the three studied groups. Pathans have retained rich knowledge on WFPs, and they show a comparatively closer affinity with Kohistanis is the use of WFPs compared to Gujjars. While we observed some idiosyncrasies for each of the researched groups, the distinctive plant uses among Gujjars provide insight into their food ecology, their particular human–ecological system centered on mobile pastoralism and their limited exchanges of local food/ecological knowledge due to endogamic patterns. A literature survey revealed some novel or little-known ingredients within Pakistani food ethnobotany/ethnomycology, such as Aesculus indica, Agaricus campestris, Apteranthes tuberculata, Duchesnea indica, Equisetum arvense, Eremurus himalaicus, Isodon rugosus, Morella esculenta, Sophora mollis, and Drimia indica.
Conclusion
The researched communities have retained important plant knowledge which could be implemented through future development programs considering that most of these traditional foraging practices fulfill environmental and social sustainability standards. Further field studies are required to thoroughly investigate the patterns of foraging among highland pastoral societies in other parts of the Hindukush region and especially their potential for the ongoing ecological transition
The Causes of Poor Habits of Literature Reading Among EFL Undergraduates in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region
Get PDFLiterature reading is perceived as one of the most prominent language skills in second and foreign language acquisition. However, it is observed that students, in general, are reluctant towards reading in Iraqi Kurdistan. Poor reading habits have become a culture, and it has been overspread not only among students but also in the society as a whole in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The main objective of this study is to identify the major causes of poor literature reading habits among undergraduates at both private and public universities in the Kurdistan Region and recommend possible solutions to eliminate these habits. The main focus of the study is on the poor reading habits of First-year students who are enrolled in English-taught courses. The study presents a descriptive investigation and data collected through questionnaires and interviews. Three different methods were implemented to solve the problem: (1) book-based PBL (Project-based learning) type poster presentations; (2) discussing books through debating; and (3) holding motivational workshops, as an academic extra-curricular activity, about the significant role of reading in academic achievement. The study found that some of the root causes of poor reading habits are: social media, being taught by teachers who lack motivation and experiencing instability in life in the region. The study revealed that methods applied by the researchers have to some extent raised students’ awareness about the crucial role of reading in broadening their horizons and achieving academic success. Thus they increased students’ willingness to read and reconciled students with books by making them read several books during an academic semester
The Influence of Writing Prompts on Student Creativity and Expression
Get PDFWriting exercises are well known as effective teaching aids in the field of education. Prompts encourage creativity and expression by giving students particular themes or ideas to write about. The goal of this article is to examine how writing prompts affect students’ creativity and expression, emphasizing the ways in which they foster original thought, personal expression, and aid in getting through creative blockages
The Role of Technology in Mathematics Education: Promoting Student Achievement
Get PDFIn the age of the internet, technology has ingrained itself into every area of our lives and society, including education. Technology’s influence on education has changed drastically, especially in the area of mathematics, since it continues to advance at a rapid rate. It greatly contributes to the promotion of student achievement. This article explores the many facets of technology’s influence in mathematics education and shows how changes in technology have completely changed how math is taught and studied
Mechanisms of anti-ulcer actions of Prangos pabularia (L.) in ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats
Get PDFPeptic ulcer disease is the greatest digestive disorder that has increased incidence and recurrence rates across all nations. Prangos pabularia (L.) has been well documented as a folkloric medicinal herb utilized for multiple disease conditions including gastric ulcers. Hence, the target study was investigation the gastro-protection effects of root extracts of Prangos pabularia (REPP) on ethanol-mediated stomach injury in rats. Sprague Dawley rats were clustered in 5 cages: A and B, normal and ulcer control rats pre-ingested with 1 % carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)); C, reference rats had 20 mg/kg omeprazole; D and E, rats pre-supplemented with 250 and 500 mg/kg of REPP, respectively. After one hour, group A was given orally 1 % CMC, and groups B-E were given 100 % ethanol. The ulcer area, gastric acidity, and gastric wall mucus of all stomachs were determined. The gastric tissue homogenates were examined for antioxidant and MDA contents. Moreover, the gastric tissues were analyzed by histopathological and immunohistochemically assays. Acute toxicity results showed lack of any toxic effects or histological changes in rats exposed to 2 and 5 g/kg of REPP ingestion. The ulcer controls had extensive gastric mucosal damage with lower gastric juice and a reduced gastric pH. REPP treatment caused a significant reduction of the ethanol-induced gastric lacerations represented by an upsurge in gastric mucus and gastric wall glycoproteins (increased PAS), a decrease in the gastric acidity, leukocyte infiltration, positively modulated Bax and HSP 70 proteins, consequently lowered ulcer areas. REPP supplementation positively modulated oxidative stress (increased SOD, CAT, PGE2, and reduced MDA) and inflammatory cytokines (decreased serum TNF-α, IL-6, and increased IL-10) levels. The outcomes could be scientific evidence to back-up the folkloric use of A. Judaica as a medicinal remedy for oxidative stress-related disorders (gastric ulcer)
The Historical Astronomic Observatory and Calendar of the Village of Graw, Northern Iraq
Get PDFThe astronomic observatory of Graw Village is located on Mount Dari Lolikan, facing the village. Graw is located in the foothills of Mount Ser-i-Rash, 25 km northeast of Erbil Governorate, Iraq. This study attempts to clarify the foundations of this observatory, its components, as well as the founder and the date of its establishment. The study made efforts to clarify the benefits of this calendar to local residents in their daily lives. The database for this study is based on direct observation of the observatory station. The observation included the recording date and position of sunset and the appearance of stars throughout the year. Observation and documentation for both sunset and stars were performed over several years due to weather conditions since observation was not possible on foggy and rainy days and nights. Each observation took five to ten minutes depending on the clarity of the sky. The observatory consists of a group of stone cones. Each cone was built by stones in a specific location after careful and long observation of the sunset. Efforts were made to observe the disappearance and reappearance of the stars based on the change in the position of the Earth in relation to the sun. Graw's calendar helped to recognize important times of the year, such as the winter and summer forties, which were very important, especially when snow covered the roads, transportation stopped, crops spoiled, and pets stayed in their barn. The most important features of the winter forties are the memories, experiences, and minds of the villagers' ancestors. The forties were associated with the arrival of cold and heavier rain throughout the year, which is consistent with modern science, as the angle at which the Earth rotates increases the number and activity of weather depressions that affect the study area during this period. This observatory has a close connection with the daily life of the villagers, especially in the past centuries. It helped the people of the area in their appointments to carry out their work in the field of agriculture. The observatory was also of great importance in the field of education in the past centuries, especially in traditional religious schools. It also appears from this research that the calendar has ancient roots, which extend back thousands of years, as evidenced by the Ezidis who follow an ancient religion whose roots extend back thousands of years and who fast during both the winter and summer forties annually, with the participation of people in various regions of the world. It is not known who made this astronomic observatory but most of the oral information that has been passed down to us by word of mouth agrees on both Mullah Abdullah Al-Kurdi and Mullah Omar. Likely, this astronomic observatory was built around the late 17th and early 18th centuries