Salahaddin University-Erbil

Labyrinth weir is a special type of weir that has been widely studied because it can increase discharge capacity by providing a longer effective crest within a limited channel width. However, their hydraulic performance can be affected by increasing upstream head due to nappe interaction, flow contraction and local submergence. The present study experimentally investigates the hydraulic performance of one-, two-and three-cycle semicircular labyrinth weirs over a range of upstream relative head and compares their performance with conventional sharp crested weir. A total of 75 experiments were carried out in a 50 cm wide laboratory flume, with 20 tests for each labyrinth weir configurations and 15 tests for the straight sharp crested weir. The measured discharge ranged from 1.8l/s to 42.6 l/s, corresponding to upstream heads of approximately 1.08-10.2 cm and H/P values of 0.072 to 0.68. The semicircular labyrinth weir provided higher discharge capacity than the conventional straight sharp crested weir, for the same discharge, the head over the straight weir was approximately 14% higher. The results showed that the discharge coefficient generally decreased as H/P increase, the reduction became less pronounced when H/P exceeded approximately 0.4. Empirical polynomial equations were developed to calculate the discharge coefficient (Cd) for the semicircular labyrinth weir of one cycle, two cycle and three cycle yielding the coefficient of the determination (R2) of 0.858, 0.975 and 0.865 respectively, indicating good agreement with the experimental measurements. The two-cycle labyrinth weir achieved the highest maximum weir efficiency (1.73) and cycle efficiency (1.18), whereas the three-cycle showed the lowest maximum values of 1.54 and 1.07 respectively. The result indicated that increasing number of cycles does not necessary for improving hydraulic efficiency in the case if the total crest length is constant. The developed empirical relationships provide a practical means for estimating the discharge coefficient within the tested range and may assist in the hydraulic design of labyrinth weirs.

A series of novel benzoxazole-bearing thiazolidin-4-one derivatives (9a-9e) was synthesized through a one-pot solvent-free cyclocondensation catalyzed by the protic ionic liquid triethylammonium dihydrogen phosphate. The synthesized ionic liquid was characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 31P NMR, and TGA, while the structures of the target compounds were confirmed by FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, DEPT-135, and mass spectrometry. The developed protocol afforded the desired products in isolated yields of 90-97% under mild reaction conditions. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized derivatives was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. All compounds exhibited moderate to good antibacterial activity, with compound 9a showing the highest inhibitory activity. DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level indicated that compound 9a possessed the smallest HOMO-LUMO energy gap, the lowest global hardness, and the highest electrophilicity index, suggesting enhanced electronic reactivity among the investigated derivatives. Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEP), Natural Bond Orbital (NBO), and Fukui analyses identified the principal electron-rich and reactive regions associated with the observed electronic behavior. Molecular docking studies against bacterial DNA gyrase subunit B (PDB ID: 1KZN) predicted favorable binding affinities for all synthesized compounds, with compound 9a exhibiting the lowest docking score (-8.8 kcal mol-1). The docking protocol was validated by redocking the cocrystallized ligand, giving an RMSD value of 0.656 & Aring;. Molecular dynamics simulation of the most active compound 9a showed persistent occupancy within the ATP-binding pocket, while MM/GBSA analysis yielded a favorable binding free energy (Delta Gbind = -55.52 kcal mol-1), providing additional computational support for the predicted protein-ligand complex stability. Predicted absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) properties indicated that all synthesized derivatives satisfied the evaluated drug-likeness criteria and exhibited high gastrointestinal absorption. Overall, the computational analyses complemented the experimental antibacterial findings by providing molecular-level insight into the electronic properties and predicted ligand-protein interactions of the synthesized derivatives.

Physical activity is vital for preventing chronic diseases and promoting well-being, yet data on women’s activity levels in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq are scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, patterns, and determinants of physical activity, leisure-time exercise, and sedentary behavior among a sample of women in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 540 women in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, from November 7, 2022, to February 22, 2023. Participants completed a validated Kurdish translation of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire to measure physical activity domains and sedentary time. Overall, 31.5

This study investigates the natural radioactivity levels in soil samples and evaluates the associated radiological risks in the Qaladiza district, Kurdistan region, Iraq. A total of sixty-one soil samples were collected from nine locations and categorized into three groups (A, B, and other sites). The samples were analyzed using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector to determine the activity concentrations and estimate potential radiological hazards. The mean activity concentrations were found to be 72.77 ± 3.20 Bq kg−1 for 226Ra, 26.43 ± 0.69 Bq kg−1 for 232Th, and 312.20 ± 4.96 Bq kg−1 for 4⁰K in site A. In site B, the mean levels of activity concentrations were 51.31 ± 2.81 Bq kg−1 for 226Ra, 29.31 ± 0.84 Bq kg−1 for 232Th, and 402.37 ± 5.51 Bq kg−1 for 4⁰K. At other sites, averages were 29.66 ± 2.25 Bq kg−1, 14.54 ± 0.51 Bq kg−1, and 244.45 ± 4.98 for 226Ra, 232Th, and 4⁰K, respectively. The average activity of 226Ra in both sites A and B exceeded the global average. The average values for radium equivalent, annual effective dose, and external and internal hazard indices were all within international safety limits. However, absorbed dose rates at site A exceeded the global average. The average of the excess lifetime cancer risk was below the global benchmark but several samples within A and B sites exceeded threshold values. The average value of annual equivalent gonadal dose was higher than the worldwide limit at A and B sites. This work emphasizes the possible radiation risk related to natural radioactivity concentrations in the soil of Qaladiza regions to evaluate precious facts for safety and public health.

CRISPR-Cas genome-editing technologies have emerged as powerful tools for precise DNA and RNA modulation, offering promising therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This review critically evaluates current CRISPR/Cas applications in neurodegeneration, with emphasis on mechanistic insights, therapeutic outcomes, and translational feasibility. Preclinical and early translational studies demonstrate that CRISPR-Cas platforms can correct pathogenic mutations, suppress toxic gene expression, and restore neuronal function. Advanced modalities, including base and prime editing, CRISPRi/a, and RNA-targeting Cas systems, improve precision and reduce genomic damage, which is particularly advantageous in post-mitotic neurons. Emerging CRISPR-based diagnostics (e.g., SHERLOCK and DETECTR), AI-assisted sgRNA design, and machine-learning approaches for predicting off-target effects further enhance the safety, stratification, and monitoring of CRISPR therapeutics. In parallel, patient-derived brain organoids and assembloids provide scalable human-relevant platforms for mechanistic studies and preclinical validation. Despite this progress, major challenges remain, including efficient delivery across the blood-brain barrier, immune responses, long-term safety, and ethical and regulatory considerations. Overall, CRISPR-Cas technologies hold strong potential as disease-modifying interventions for neurodegenerative disorders, provided that advances in delivery systems, artificial intelligence integration, and regulatory oversight continue to evolve toward clinical translation.