The university offers an American-style liberal arts education to students from various economic, ethnic and religious backgrounds.
This study reports the preparation of solid polymer blend electrolytes (SPBEs) based on chitosan–dextran (CS: DX) blend impregnated with various amounts of lithium nitrate (LiNO3) salt using solution casting procedure. The SPBE films have been analyzed by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for their structural analysis. The XRD deconvolution approach was employed to estimate the degree of crystallinity of the electrolyte films. Crucial ion transport parameters (n, µ, D) were calculated from the deconvoluted absorption bands associated with the NO₃⁻ anion of the doped salt. The electrical and dielectric characteristics performed via electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique. EIS results revealed an increase in ionic conductivity with increasing LiNO3 salt and the maximum ionic conductivity (σdc) attained was (1.4 × 10−6 S.cm-1) at 40 wt
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals between nerve cells (neurons) or from neurons to muscles or glands, enabling communication throughout the nervous system. Epinephrine (EP) and norepinephrine (NE) are vital catecholamine neurotransmitters whose abnormal levels are closely linked to numerous physiological disorders. Hence, the sensitive, selective, and low-cost probe for detection of these biomolecules is essential for clinical diagnostics and health monitoring. In recent years, carbon dots (CDs) have developed as promising sensing platforms owing to their exclusive optical properties, excellent biocompatibility, facile functionalization, and versatile integration into composite materials. This review systematically underscores the advances in CDs and CDs-based nanocomposites for the detection of EP and NE, emphasizing fluorescence, colorimetric, chemiluminescence, and electrochemical sensing strategies. We discuss various approaches, including ratiometric fluorescence probes, dual-mode sensors, and paper-based analytical devices, which leverage the strong photoluminescence and surface tunability of CDs for enhanced analytical performance. Additionally, we reviewed the methods and strategies for the preparation of CDs-based nanocomposites, detailing the advantages and limitations of each technique to guide future material design. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms for sensing such as photoinduced electron transfer, aggregation-induced quenching, and inner-filter effect are elucidated to provide deeper insight into the design of effective sensing systems. Finally, we outline current challenges and propose future perspectives for developing more robust, portable, and multiplexed sensors aimed at real-time monitoring of EP and NE in complex biological samples.
As global adoption of photovoltaic (PV) systems increases, the demand for cost-effective monitoring solutions is growing, especially in off-grid and resource-constrained areas. This systematic literature review examines recent advances in low-cost PV monitoring, focusing on hardware, software, and system integration. Key technologies include microcontrollers (e.g., Arduino and Raspberry Pi), open-source software, IoT platforms, and custom data acquisition approaches. Core challenges identified include limited accuracy, scalability issues, dependence on stable internet connections, and lack of user-friendly interfaces. Emerging opportunities include AI-based diagnostics, edge computing, modular system design, and use in education and training. This paper offers a comprehensive synthesis of the state of the art, research gaps, and future directions, providing valuable insights for researchers, developers, and policymakers aiming to create accessible and scalable PV monitoring systems that support global energy equity and sustainability goals.
Efficient design of weaving sections is critical for maintaining smooth traffic flow on urban arterial roads. This study investigates optimal weaving lengths (WL) for improving traffic flow efficiency using two weaving sections located on Malik Mahmud Ring Road in Sulaymaniyah City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, as a case study. Traffic and geometric data were collected through drone footage and processed using data from Sky Viewer to extract detailed vehicle trajectories. A calibrated and validated microsimulation model was developed in PTV VISSIM 2024 to replicate real-world traffic conditions. A full factorial experimental design tested the effects of WL, mainline traffic volume, and weaving volume on section performance. The results demonstrated that WL significantly influences both capacity and level of service (LOS). Shorter sections constrained lane-changing maneuvers, while longer sections enhanced throughput and improved LOS; however, excessive length beyond 750 m for Section A and 350 m for Section B yielded diminishing returns. Regression analysis confirmed that the interaction between WL and volume ratio (VR) positively and significantly affected capacity, while higher VRs independently reduced efficiency. Section A achieved a stronger model fit (R² = 0.771) compared to Section B (R² = 0.650), reflecting site-specific geometric and traffic characteristics. The findings suggest that WLs of approximately 750 m for Section A and 350 m for Section B represent optimal design values for balancing roadway capacity and operational efficiency. This research provides a methodological framework for capacity estimation in weaving sections and offers practical insights for transportation planners and engineers in developing urban contexts.
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are central to the maintenance of immune tolerance; however, in cancer they acquire a paradoxical role as key drivers of immune evasion and tumor progression. Within the tumor microenvironment (TME), Tregs undergo extensive phenotypic, transcriptional, and metabolic reprogramming that enhances their suppressive capacity and enables their persistence under conditions of hypoxia, nutrient limitation, and chronic inflammation. Tumor-infiltrating Tregs (TI-Tregs) display a distinct checkpoint-enriched phenotype, characterized by elevated expression of CTLA-4, PD-1, TIGIT, ICOS, and LAG-3, and are governed by integrated signaling networks involving FOXP3, IL-2/STAT5, and PI3K–AKT–mTOR pathways, coupled with specialized immunometabolism adaptations. In addition to classical signaling mechanisms, epigenetic regulation and non-coding RNAs (including microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs) play critical roles in shaping Treg stability, plasticity, and functional specialization within tumors. Emerging evidence further indicates that TI-Tregs operate within a complex immunoregulatory ecosystem, interacting with myeloid, stromal, and tumor cells to establish spatially organized and self-reinforcing networks of immune suppression. This review provides a comprehensive and integrative overview of the molecular mechanisms driving Treg reprogramming in cancer and examines the challenges associated with their therapeutic targeting. We highlight current and emerging strategies aimed at selectively disrupting tumor-specific Treg function, including checkpoint modulation, metabolic targeting, and subset-specific depletion. A deeper understanding of Treg heterogeneity, plasticity, and spatial organization will be essential for the development of next-generation precision immunotherapies capable of overcoming resistance while preserving systemic immune tolerance.
