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A Survey of the Side Effects of Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine among Vaccinated Adults in Iraq
Get PDFBackground: Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was one of the first vaccines developed for COVID-19 to be used in Iraq. While the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks, potential side effects remain major concerns for people and can increase vaccine hesitancy despite usually being short-lasting and mild. This study aimed to evaluate the side effects of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination among vaccinated adults in Erbil city, Iraq.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with a convenience sample of 401 subjects who received the Pfizer vaccine in nine public healthcare centres in Erbil, Iraq, on February 20th, 2022, and April 17th 2022. Data was collected through interviews with the patients using a questionnaire designed by the researchers; a p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The prevalence of side effects was 84.4%. Among participants who experienced side effects, the most common was pain at the injection site (93.1% for the first dose and 88% for the second dose). For the first dose, the onset of side effects on the vaccination day (day zero) was reported by 78.9% of those experiencing side effects, and the duration was one day for 45.4% of participants. Severity was rated as mild by 54.3%, and similar results were found for the second dose. Analgesics were used following the first dose by 47% of participants, which resulted in good relief for 96.6% of patients using them, and similar results were found for the second dose.
Conclusions: Most participants who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine experienced side effects, the most common of which was pain at the injection site, which was reported for both the first and second doses
People's migrations and plants for food: a review for fostering sustainability
Get PDFHuman movements via migrations facilitate the transport of plants and knowledge. Migrations were always present in our human history, but conflicts and environmental changes are contributing to the increase in people’s movements to and from different parts of the world. In this literature review, our focus is on the ethnobotany of food plants and migrations, and the adaptations following this process. We analyzed 58 studies dealing with human migrations and food plants, including both internal migrations and international ones, over a wide period from several centuries to the present but with the predominance of migrations since the second half of the twentieth century. Most studies reported migrations between countries or regions (80%) in which people search for better economic opportunities. Other reasons for migrations were refugees, mandatory displacements, and slavery. The studies included cultivated plants, gathered plants (foraged), and food plants purchased on markets or obtained via exchanges or importation. We discuss the identitarian role of food plants in the processes of maintenance, abandonment, replacement, and incorporation of plants; although the evidences of abandonment are the most difficult to track. After the migration, the maintenance of a food identity will depend on several variables, including how important it is to keep a distinct identity, the plant resources available, the people’s agency of the plant resources, and also the reasons for each migratory movement. Finally, we discuss the implications of this ethnobotanical knowledge and practices related to food plants for sustainability
Solution of First-Order Differential Equation Using Fourth-Order Runge-Kutta Approach and Adams Bashforth Methods
Get PDFIn this research, we investigate the solution of first-order differential equations (DEs) using Runge- Kutta fourth-order method (RKM) and Adams-Bashforth methods (ABMs). In this work we consider fourth-order RKM and ABMs for solving first order DEs. The method proof to be simple, easy, accurate and efficient technique for solving first order DEs. Moreover, there are unlimited application of fourth-order RK4 and ABMs for solving first-order DE in science, engineering, economics, social science, biology and business. These play an important role in science and engineering. Some examples are giving and solved to support the efficiency of our methods which are demonstrated by figures
The impact of lead on structural, electronic, and vibrational properties of pristine C36 and its boron, nitrogen-dopant C36 on pentagonal and hexagonal rings
Get PDFIn this work, lead's impacts on the structural, electronic, and vibrational characteristics of pure C36 and C36 doped with boron and nitrogen on pentagonal and hexagonal rings are calculated using the DFT method. We provide an in-depth examination of these characteristics and how lead affects them. The adsorption energy, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), and electrostatic potentials at the isosurface (EPI) have been studied in detail. Assess the ring dependence of the lead adsorption energy for the hexagonal and pentagonal rings of pristine C36 and B and N impurities at the substitutional site. The adsorption energy for the Pb on pristine C36 is endothermic; however, it is exothermic for the Pb on NB-doped C36 but has different values on the pentagonal and hexagonal rings. The results demonstrate that nitrogen and boron doping significantly increased the Pb atom's adsorption energy when the dopants occupied pentagonal sites. In addition, the bond lengths surrounding the impurity and the bond lengths of Pb atoms placed on pristine C36, BN-doped hexagonal ring, and BN-doped pentagonal ring in C36 are investigated. The electrostatic potential isosurface (EPI) surrounding the BN-doped hexagonal and pentagonal rings of C36 is described. The Mulliken charge transfer analysis demonstrates that the interaction between NB-doped C36 fullerene and lead (Pb) has a substantial effect on the charge transfer process and the reactivity of the doped system towards lead. However, the quantity of charge transmitted depends on the impurity's location on the hexagonal and pentagonal rings. These findings aid in the atomistic understanding of the interaction between a single Pb atom on the surface of C36 and BN-doped C36 at various rings. Our findings not only shed light on the complex interplay between lead and C36 but also offer valuable insights into potential applications in materials engineering and environmental remediation
Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of Babesia caballi in domestic donkeys (Equus asinus) in Baghdad Zoo, Iraq
Get PDFIn Iraq, equine piroplasmosis is considered a severe haem-protozoan infection of Equidae caused by the tick-borne protozoa Babesia caballi. The present study collected blood samples (n = 70) of domestic donkeys from the Baghdad Zoo in the Al Zawra’a Gardens area, Baghdad, Iraq, from April to September 2018. The molecular method to detect B. caballi was based on partial amplification and sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene. Additionally, the haematologic parameters of all blood samples were also studied. The results of PCR products (540 bp) of the 18S rRNA gene showed that 65 blood samples (92.9%) were positive. The phylogenetic analysis of five sequences of samples (NCBI accession numbers: MN723600.1, MN723592.1, MN723851.1, MN723855.1, and MN723849.1) compared with global and neighbouring countries isolates revealed five separate clades with homology 99% in four samples. The results of haematologic parameters showed no statistically significant changes in blood values in infected and uninfected donkeys. The study concludes that donkeys are carriers of piroplasmosis and can be a reservoir and source of infection for other equids. This study is the first molecular report to confirm piroplasmosis in domestic donkeys in Iraq
Exploring Customer Views on Digitalized vs. Traditional Restaurants: A Study in the Restaurant Industry
Get PDFThe restaurant industry has grown widely, not only for local food but for various types of food from other countries. With the fast pace of the technological revolution, the restaurant industry must also keep up with this revolution to remain relevant. Hence, there is the introduction of digitalized restaurants in this industry that have a great debate with traditional restaurants. The main objective of this study is to explore and analyze customer perceptions and views regarding digitalized restaurants compared to traditional restaurants. This study would also help the restaurant industry transform into digitalization that corresponds with customers' views. For research purposes, data collection from a sample of customers who have recently dined in both types of restaurants by conducting a questionnaire targeting at least 100 respondents would be conducted. The questionnaire will focus on gathering data related to customers' perspectives and satisfaction and examining the variables of efficiency and effectiveness and perceived benefits such as convenience, visuals, time consumption, customization, loyalty and rewards programs, and digital feedback. This data would be further analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The expected outcome of this study is to provide the restaurant industry with valuable knowledge regarding consumer preferences for digitalized or traditional restaurants. Besides, this study would benefit the restaurant industry in transforming digitalized based on consumers' perceptions and views
Interactive effects of emitter type, water salinity, and deficit irrigation on of red cabbage (Brassica oleracea L) with evaluating drip irrigation system
Get PDFField research was carried out at Kirkuk Governorate (Altun Kopri district) near the village of Hasar Al- Kabeer for the agricultural season of 2022 to compare two types of GR and Turbo emitter and two levels of water salinity on yield (0.55 EC dSm-1), (4.40 EC dSm-1), with four levels of deficit irrigation (ETc 120%), (100% full irrigation) (75% ETc), and(0.50% Etc). The results were analyzed with a factorial split-split plot design, and the F-test and Duncan's test determined the differences between factories and averages. The system was evaluated at the beginning of the experiment in comparison between GR and turbo emitter performance. Results were shown to outperform the GR emitter on the Turbo emitter in four qualities: coefficient of manufactured variety (% CV), uniformity of emitter flow (% Eu), uniformity field emission F.EU%, and absolute uniformity field emission F.Eua% with results of 0.01% 9.45% %,99.09%and 99.87 % The system was also evaluated in the middle of the experiment in comparison between fresh water and saline water in same qualities parameter. The results were shown by the superiority of fresh water over saline water as the results were (0.0379%), (0.0932%), (98.83%), (97.16%),(98.28),(98.93), and(99.85),(99.87)respectively. The most important results showed the superiority of the GR emitter interference treatment with freshwater at water stress level (100% ETc) in the total yield Mg ha−1 and plant height cm for red cabbage were 26.50 Mg ha−1 and 35.00 cm. Turbo emitter with saline water at 50% water stress given the best value (24.20 leaf plant−1)
Health Employees’ Perceptions of Their Working Conditions
Get PDFBackground: Employees require an appropriate working environment that helps them work without problems limiting their performance.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the perspectives of the employees at the Ministry of Health in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region regarding their work environment and satisfaction with the various aspects of work.
Methods: This self-administered questionnaire survey involved 109 employees from the Ministry of Health in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan Region. A questionnaire containing different questions about the work environment and work satisfaction was used to assess employees' perspectives about their working environment.
Results: The participants thought that the sense of preserving public money and materials and feeling responsible among employees is low. The employees were not much satisfied with the relations between managers and employees. Most participants thought that improving the financial situation would affect the employees' capacity (96.3%) and that implementing modern systems, equipment, and programs would improve protection (84.4%). Most participants were satisfied with their workplace (71.6%) and thought their education was relevant to their work (73.4%). They emphasizedthe importance of making employees feel responsible, providing training courses, and improving the services and work facilities to improve the working conditions.
Conclusion: Low work awareness and commitment exist among employees. The working environment was an important factor in the job satisfaction of employees
Perceptions of EFL students on e-book based extensive reading at a tertiary level
Get PDFPrinted reading texts have been transformed drastically which allows readers to read books in an electronic format flexibly. Reading e-books extensively has received much attention globally thanks to their advantages such as portability, convenience and affordability. Likewise, the popularity of extensive reading programs has increased dramatically. Correspondingly, the number of publications related to e-books and extensive reading has risen tremendously which has urged the researcher to combine both in a single study. In this respect, the current study was conducted to pinpoint the perceptions of students who joined an e-book based extensive reading program at TISHK International University within 2022-2023 Academic Year in Erbil, Iraq. 50 freshman students were chosen by adopting convenience sampling method, and the data were collected via an extensive questionnaire, a survey and interview. The data collection process which included the instruments of a mixed methods design within 11 weeks through SPSS 23 and NVivo revealed that e-book based extensive reading improved students’ performance, increased their motivation, facilitated overcoming language learning anxiety and changed overall attitudes towards learning English with reading e-books extensively. The findings of this study can have some implications for researchers who are planning to conduct an e-book-based ER instruction at their institutions
Uncovering the Smoking Habits of Undergraduate University Students: A Comprehensive Assessment of different varieties Tobacco Use
Get PDFTobacco use is a prevalent and serious global health issue, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Every year, over 5 million people worldwide die due to tobacco use. This research aims to comprehensively assess tobacco use, including the types of smoking, such as hookah and other varieties, among undergraduate students. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire survey to investigate students' attitudes towards different types of smoking. The questionnaire included demographic information in the first section, while the second section consisted of questions related to students' smoking behaviors. The data revealed that 59.33% of students smoked tobacco daily and started smoking at a young age. The most common tobacco products consumed were manufactured cigarettes (64.66%) and hookah (50%), while vaping or electronic cigarette use was 26%. A total of 70% of students noticed health warnings on cigarette packages, with 50.66% of them attempting to quit smoking, while 64% never considered quitting. Males were found to smoke more than females, with a ratio of 6:1 (85.3% and 14.7%, respectively), possibly influenced by various social, cultural, environmental, and developmental factors. The results also indicated that the majority of students who smoked lived in urban areas with their families, suggesting a significant association between family smoking and students' smoking behavior. Despite health warnings on cigarette packages, students did not seriously consider quitting smoking, indicating an increasing trend of smoking varieties and a significant public health concern, particularly among university students. More effective policies are needed to control smoking and raise awareness about its detrimental health effects among the public