Ultra-high efficiency solar cells: the path for mass penetration of solar electricity

For achieving a photovoltaic penetration above one-third of the world demand for electricity in the first half of this century, the importance of a fast manufacturing learning curve that is linked to the capacity of developing cells of increasing efficiency is stressed. Progress in multijunction cells is described as well as three novel concepts promising very high efficiency. It is explained why these concepts will probably be used in concentrator systems

Differential actions of methlyarginines in the rat aorta

The PhD project is about the Regulation of vascular tone by endothelium. It involves studying the effects of methylated arginine analogues such as monomethyl arginine (L-NMMA) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) on nitric oxide (NO) activity in rat aorta using organ baths containing Krebs solution at 37 ˚C and gassed with 95% O2 and 5% CO2. These two inhibitors of endothelial nitric oxide synthase enzyme (eNOS) showed an anomalous action, as they inhibited basal NO activity (assessed by enhancement of phenylephrine-induced tone and by blocking relaxations produced by superoxide dismutase or the PDE5 inhibitor; T0156) but not that is stimulated by agonists like acetylcholine or the calcium ionophore A23187. After establishing these findings I will try to find the reason(s) for these paradoxical actions of these two endogenously synthesized inhibitors of eNOS

Immunogenicity of the biosimilar CT-P13 infliximab or the original infliximab in Iraqi patients with Ankylosing spondylitis does not correlate with their demographic characteristics

Background: Ankylosing spondylitis is a rare disease affecting people with hereditary factors. Its treatment includes life style modification and use of drugs such as the biologic agent infliximab or its biosimilar, CT-P13 infliximab. Despite their therapeutic usefulness, these agents are associated with a number of serious adverse effects such as immunogenicity. Objectives: The aim of current study was to investigate if immunogenicity of the biosimilar CT-P13 infliximab or the original infliximab, in Iraqi patients with Ankylosing spondylitis, is affected by any of the patients’ demographic characteristics. Methods: A retrospective open-label study was conducted from December 2021 to March 2022 at the Rheumatology Unit, Baghdad Teaching Hospital/Medical City, Baghdad. Forty-four patients were taking Infliximab, and another 50 patients were taking CT-P13, both at a dose of 5mg/kg for 3 months prior to recruitment in current study. Disease activity was assessed by ASDAS-CRP score while antibodies and C-reactive protein were tested by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay technique. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS statistical package for Social Sciences version 20.0. The level of significance was considered at P<0.05. Results: There was non-significant correlation between anti-infliximab antibodies and demographic data of patients (P>0.05). Similar data were reported regarding the biosimilar CT-P13 infliximab except for smoking and disease activity which exhibited significant correlation with development of anti-CT-P13 antibodies (P<0.05). Conclusion: Immunogenicity of the biosimilar CT-P13 infliximab, but not that of the original Infliximab, may be influenced by demographic characteristics or disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Effects of liraglutide on weight control and blood pressure in type 2 diabetes mellitus Iraqi patients

Abstract  Background: Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine illness, affecting an increasing number of people all over the world. It is caused by a lack, or inadequate synthesis of insulin by the pancreas leading to an increase in blood glucose concentrations. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most strongly linked disease to obesity of all disorders. The number of obesity-related diabetes is predicted to reach 300 million by 2025. The term 'diabesity' was coined as a result of this strong link, therefore, weight loss is seen as a key therapeutic goal in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that stimulates insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner. Also, it has weight-losing benefits which is assumed to be due to appetite suppression and delayed gastric emptying.    Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of Liraglutide on weight management, body mass index, renal function and blood pressure in type 2 diabetic mellitus obese patients in Iraq. Methods: An open-label therapeutic trial was conducted from November 2021 to June 2022 at Baquba Teaching Hospital/ Diyala. (23 males and 27 females) with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus for 2 - 4 years were included in the study. They were obese, hypertensive and dyslipidemic. They received metformin and liraglutide for 12 weeks as 0.6 mg/day during the first week, which was gradually increased to 1.2 mg and up to 1.8 mg/day according to patient tolerance and requirement for control at the beginning the study. The patients had their height as well as body weight measured, calculated, blood pressure measured and renal functions tested. The statistical analysis was performed using SAS (Statistical Analysis System - version 9.1). Two-way ANOVA and Least significant differences (LSD) post hoc test were performed as well as paired t-test. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Treatment with liraglutide for 12 weeks has resulted in a significant decrease in body weight, BMI, and blood pressure (P<0.05). The changes in the results of renal function test of liraglutide-treated patients were not significant. Conclusion: In obese type 2 diabetic patients, liraglutide has the potential of reducing body weight, body mass index and blood pressure. It seemed safe in terms of its systemic effects        

Impact of sociodemographic characteristics and drug-related side effects on quality of life of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma receiving sorafenib treatment in Iraqi hospitals

Background: Sorafenib is an oral multikinase inhibitor which has been given approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma and advanced renal cell carcinoma . However, measuring quality of life and patient-reported symptoms may provide further information for evaluating and comparing treatment efficacy and toxicity profiles during cancer treatment. Despite the critical importance of patients' quality of life while receiving anticancer treatment, neither Iraqi patients undergoing anti-cancer medications in general nor those receiving Sorafenib in particular had any published data evaluating this important parameter. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the quality of life of Sorafenib-treated Iraqi patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study was performed at the oncology clinic of (Oncology Teaching Hospital, Al-Amal Hospital and Al -Imamein Al- Kadhimein Medical City in Baghdad, Iraq) during the period from November 2021 to July 2022. Patients were enrolled in current study by using a convenient sampling method. Assessment of quality of life was performed using a questionnaire from the “European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer”. Statistical analyses were performed using statistical package for Social Sciences. Student’s t-test and ANOVA test were used to compare categorical data. P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The present study included 52 patients in total. Of the latter, 90.4% experienced fatigue, making it the most frequent adverse event, followed by anorexia, anemia, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting (71.2%, 67.3%, 65.4%, 59.6%, 26.9%, respectively). In spite of that, some participants had a good quality of life while others did not. Conclusion: Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma on sorafenib treatment have variable quality of the life. The latter is significantly affected by patients’ sociodemographic characteristics and treatment-related adverse events

Creative self-efficacy: a comparative study of outstanding and ordinary students in the United Arab Emirates

This study investigated the self-efficacy performance of outstanding and ordinary students. The study determined the level of creative self-efficacy among outstanding and ordinary students. A total of 76 undergraduates participated in the study, 37 outstanding students, and 39 ordinary students. Data were collected using an online survey questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of the Abbott scale of creative self-efficacy. The scale contains 21 items that cover self-efficacy in creative thinking and self-efficacy in creative performance. The findings of the study showed that the level of creative self-efficacy is high among the participants. The results of the study revealed statistically significant differences due to gender variables in favour of male students. Similarly, significant differences are found in the total score of the Abbott scale of creative self-efficacy in favour of the outstanding students. The study offers several recommendations

al 'Alaqat al Insaniyah Baina al Nazhari wa al Tathbiqi

318 hal.; 24 c

The income tax law in Jordan

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Dept. of Business Administration, A.U.B.Includes bibliographical references