Baghdad Research Articles

Impact of Psychological Abuse, Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, and Neglect During Childhood on Criminal Behavior among Prisoners at Forensic Mental Health Department

Introduction: Childhood maltreatment, including physical, emotional, sexual abuse, and neglect, has been consistently linked to a higher likelihood of aggressive and criminal behaviour in adulthood. This phenomenon, often referred to as the "cycle of violence," perpetuates across generations. Furthermore, victimization during childhood can lead to a broad range of mental health problems, including personality disorders, psychosis, schizophrenia, and substance abuse. These issues are particularly prevalent among individuals within the forensic mental health system. Objectives: The study aims to evaluate the impact of psychological abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect during childhood on criminal behaviour among prisoners at forensic mental health department. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to determine the impact of child abuse on criminal behaviour among prisoners in the Forensic Medicine Department. The study was during the period from December 19, 2022 to 15th of July 2024. The research has been carried out at Baghdad City's Al-Rashad Training Hospital. non-probability purposive sample procedures, this study sampling method relied on our judgment when identifying and selecting prisoners in the forensic medicine department, after their consent, who could provide the best information to achieve the objectives of the study. We choose purposive sampling because we want to focus in depth on relatively small samples (150) to get the most accurate results. a purposive sample of (110) prisoners was selected from Al-Rashad Training Hospital. Results: The findings indicate that prisoners having moderate to high level of psychological abuse during childhood among items. Prisoners having moderate to high level of physical abuse during childhood among items. The findings indicate that prisoners having moderate to high level of sexual abuse during childhood among items. The prisoners having moderate to high level of neglect during childhood among items. The prisoners have high level of criminal behaviour. There are significant relationships between (psychological, physical, sexual abuse) during childhood and criminal behaviour. Conclusions: Prisoners experience a moderate to high level of psychological abuse, physical abuse, and neglect during childhood, and the prisoners also experience a moderate to high level of sexual abuse during childhood.

Molecular detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from children with urinary tract infections

The purpose of this research was to identify Pseudomonas aeruginosa from pediatric UTI samples using molecular methods. Bacteria were isolated and identified using a primary medium. Children from all around Baghdad city who were hospitalized at a private clinic between 2019 to 2022 and showed symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) such as fever and vomiting, had their urine sampled. There were 132 samples of children's urine collected from kids who had UTIs. The VITEK-2 system was completed on pure bacterial isolates. DNA of these bacteria was done and two primers were used in this study for the detection of P. aeruginosa. The present study showed that the rate of infection by P. aeruginosa was 7.6%, the total Gram-positive bacteria were 22.7% and the total Gram-negative bacteria were 77.3%. It was shown that females had a greater rate of UTI (55.3% vs. 44.7%) than males. In conclusion, because of its prevalence and severity in community-acquired UTIs in children and its unique risk factors and outcomes, P. aeruginosa should be suspected in any child who has recently received or is now receiving antibiotic treatment.

Antimicrobial Efficacy of Quercetin against Biofilm Production by <i>Staphylococcus Aureus</i>

Background: The bad administration of antibiotics represents a worldwide health issue as it leads to the emergence of multidrug-resistant microbes including Staphylococcus aureus, which represents a significant challenge for public health since it increases its ability to cause potentially fatal infections. Objective: This study aims to reduce the bacterium’s ability to form biofilms and antibiotic resistance. Methods: Thirty Staphylococcus aureus isolates were isolated from different clinical samples in Baghdad city and their ability to form biofilm was tested using the Microtiter Plate method. Out of 30 isolates, eight strong biofilm producer isolates were further investigated for their antimicrobial activity and biofilm formation with the impact of quercetin. Results: The results showed the ability of quercetin to inhibit bacteria and had an antibiofilm activity that was determined through investigation of the minimal inhibitory concentration by taking different concentrations. The anti-biofilm activity of quercetin was determined for the eight isolates and the results showed that biofilm formation was reduced by 100% using quercetin at a concentration of 3.1 mg/ml. Conclusions: Quercetin represents a suitable alternative to synthetic antimicrobials with the increased rate of drug-resistant bacteria among clinical samples with highly effective ability as anti-biofilm formation among strong biofilm producers of S. aureus.

Drug Addiction Clinical Study Among Patients Admitted to the Alqana Center for Social Rehabilitation

Background: Drug addiction is a worldwide issue; 5.6% of the world's population aged 15 to 64 took drugs at least once in 2016. For the majority of medicines, younger individuals use them more than older people do. Drug abuse seems to be on the increase in several ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries, particularly among young men aged 15 to 30. Illicit drug abuse account for around 14% of the overall health burden among young males. Younger individuals are also more prone to die from drug abuse issues. Aims of study is to assess the severity of problems related to drug addiction. in Baghdad city and to study epidemiological features of drug addiction among Patients Admitted to the Alqana Center for Social Rehabilitation. Patients and methods: An analytical cross-sectional study of 300 individuals diagnosed as a drug addiction patient according to the criteria established by the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders", Fifth Edition, text revision, often called the DSM-V-TR or DSM-5-TR. From the medical department at Alqana Center for Social Rehabilitation in Baghdad. The research was carried out from 25/December/2023 to 30/June/2024. Results: the demographic characteristics of the study sample. In with a mean and a standard deviation (SD) of age of 29.33±18.68. Individuals aged 20-29 year had the highest proportion to addiction, with a rate of 42.7%. Conversely, 89.3% of the participants were male. The majority,86.7%, live in urban regions. The majority of patients had 51.7% unmarried, with only 36.0% being married and 12.3% was divorced. The main rate among drug addiction patients was 38.7% primary education ,33.0% secondary education, and 16.0% was illiterate patient, while lowest patient 12.3% at collage. According to the statistics in the table,76.3% of the participants were free business. 95.0% cigarette smoker. presented the result of psychological symptoms as show 93.0% of study addictive patient have mood swings, and in the same table the behavioral and social symptoms showed as 97.0% of study patient had poor performance and/or attendance at work or school. Also, physical symptoms of addiction showed as 74.7% of patient suffering from disrupted sleep patterns, including insomnia Regarding to the withdrawal symptoms of drug addiction presented in Table (3), results showed as 95.7% fatigue, 85.3% muscle pain or aches, 81.0% irritability and agitation, 76.0% trembling and tremors, 69.3% hunger, 50.7% anxiety, 36.7% sweating, 30.7% insomnia, 25.3% loss of appetite, 22.7% depression, 20.7% confusion, 22.3% nausea, 9.3% seizures, 8.0% dilated pupils, 3.3% vomiting, and 2.3% paranoia. Conclusion: the majority of addicted patient was male. the main symptoms were Poor performance and/or attendance at work or school and mood swing. The highly complication was fatigue. Regarding the way of addiction, the tablets is vast majority and enjoyment is the most common cause of addiction. Recommendations: It's possible that other important differences between the factors seen in this study would become clearer if multicenter study, the sample size was larger and the duration of the addiction study had been longer.

Evaluation of bacteriophage effect against multidrug-resistant Proteus mirabilis isolated from different clinical samples

Proteus mirabilis is a Gram-negative bacterium that can cause a variety of infections including urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections and wound infections. It is becoming increasingly resistant to antimicrobial agents, and new therapeutic options are urgently needed. Fifty samples were collected from different samples from hospitals in Baghdad city, thirty were found to be positive for Proteus mirabilis. The results showed that most of the Proteus mirabilis isolates were resistant to Cefotaxime (76.6%), Tobramycin and Amikacin (66.7%), Gentamicin (60%), Ciprofloxacin and Ceftazidime (40%). However, Norfloxacin, Amoxicillin / Clavulanic acid and Aztreonam had lower resistance rates of 33.3%, 30%, and 23.3% respectively. The isolates were also tested for multi-drug resistance. Eight different resistance patterns were identified with 24 (80%) of the isolates being resistant to more than three antibiotics. Eleven (36.7%) of the isolates produced β-lactamase enzymes while 8 (26.7%) were able to produce extended-spectrum β-lactamases. Four bacteriophages were isolated from bird droppings, sewage, Tigris river water and soil samples. These phages were able to infect four isolates of the multidrug-resistant bacteria P. mirabilis. A study of the effects of pH and temperature on bacteriophages found that they were able to eliminate bacteria with high efficiency in a pH range of 7 to 9 and at temperatures of 25 to 550C.

Use of Scalp Hair as a Biomarker to Determine Airborne Heavy Metal Concentrations for the Academic Laboratory Employees

Academic chemical laboratories (ACL) are considered public places the employees come in contact with a variety of pollutants. The aim of the current study was to detect heavy metals levels in the indoor air of ACL in two universities in Baghdad city and assess their levels in the academic employees’ scalp hair as biomarkers. Air samples inside ACL were collected to detect Fe, Cd, Zn, Pb and Cu. Scalp hair samples were collected from 40 adult chemical laboratory employees aged 30-60 years, who worked 5 days/week for 6 hours a day. Personal information relating to employees such as age, duration of exposure, smoking habit and sex, was collected as a questionnaire. The results of this study concluded that academic laboratory employees were exposed to high levels of heavy metals which was proven through the use of scalp hair; old ages, prolonged working periods, smoking habit have significant effects in increasing the levels of heavy metals in scalp hair, while the employees’ gender variation did not have a significant effect.

Site selection for Proposed Construction Using the Electrical Resistivity Method and Some Geotechnical Tests of Soil At Al-Nahrawan Area, Baghdad, Iraq

The study site represents an investigation of a proposed construction site in Baghdad City, in the Al-Nahrawan area, using 2D electrical resistivity and some geotechnical tests for soil samples. A Wenner-Schlumberger configuration was used for 4 parallel lines, each line 120 m long, with 1m spacing between electrodes. Interpretation is made by RES2DINV software. The results showed areas with relatively high resistivity caused by mud cracks and low- resistivity caused by water content (wet soil). The groundwater depth ranges from 5.5 to 5.7 m; these values were matched by comparing with nearby wells using a sounder device. Soil samples from different depths ranging from 0.5 to 4 m were analysed, and the samples consisted mainly of clay > 88% with low liquid and plastic limits >50 (USCS). It is classified as CL, which means Low plasticity. The electric method and laboratory tests were effective in identifying the subsurface image.

Adverse effect of Abuse During Childhood on Criminal Behavior and Type of Crime among Prisoners at Forensic Mental Health Department

A quantitative approach using a descriptive-analysis design was used in the present study to find out the impact of child abuse on criminal behavior among prisoners in the forensic department. The period of the study was from 16th of October 2023 to 10th of June 2024. The study has been conducted at Al-Rashad Training Hospital which is located in of Baghdad City. Non-probability sampling techniques in which prisoners are selected because they have characteristics that we need in our sample. In other words, prisoners are selected “on purpose” as purposive sampling. Also the judgmental sampling, this sampling method relies on our judgment when identifying and selecting the prisoners that can provide the best information to achieve the study’s objectives. We choose purposive sampling because the researcher wants to focus in-depth on relatively small samples. A purposive sample of (110) prisoners was selected from Al-Rashad Training Hospital. The study sample in this research was selected from prisoners in the forensic department in the hospital. Results: Prisoners have moderate to high level of psychological abuse during childhood. They have moderate to high level of physical abuse during childhood. prisoners having moderate to high level of sexual abuse during childhood. Also they have moderate to high level of neglect during childhood. As overall prisoners have high level of abuse during childhood. prisoners having moderate to high level of criminal behavior subdomain (socialization). related to criminal behavior subdomain (Social conditions) among prisoners; the findings indicates that prisoners having moderate to high level of criminal behavior subdomain (Social conditions) among items. The findings indicates that prisoners having moderate to high level of criminal behavior subdomain (Personal and psychological circumstances) among items. Prisoners have high level of criminal behavior as overall. There is high significant relationship between Abuse during childhood and Criminal behavior at p-value= .004. There are significant relationships between (psychological, physical, sexual abuse) during childhood and criminal behavior at p-value= 0.05. There are no significant relationships between neglect during childhood and criminal behavior. There is no significant relationship between Abuse during childhood and type of crime at p-value= .05.

Evaluation The Role Of Some Immunological Markers In Coronavirus-19 Infection In A Sample Of Iraqi Patients

Background: cells produce proinflammatory cytokines like il-8, which activates neutrophils and stimulates immunological responses. Il-6 is produced quickly and transiently in response to infections and stimulates hematopoiesis and acute phase responses, aiding host defense. Dysregulated il-6 production can lead to chronic inflammation and autoimmunity despite its transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation. Objective: the study aims to identify immunological markers that could serve as diagnostic factors for covid-19 infections, using rt-pcr for diagnosis and estimation of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 levels and evaluating their association with infection progression, given the importance of covid-19 in various medical fields. Methods: blood samples collected from al-zafaraniyah general hospital, fatima-alzahra hospital, and al-yarmook teaching hospital in baghdad city identified 40 patients with coronavirus. The study used the enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (elisa) approach to detect interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 antibodies in the patients ' serum. Results: the study reveals a strong correlation between immunological markers and corona virus-19 infection, with 40 patients showing higher levels of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 antibodies, indicating a significant association between these markers. Conclusions: the study found a significant association between coronavirus-19 infection patients and immunological markers, with high levels of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 antibodies in serum highly associated with coronavirus -19 incidence.

Assessment of knowledge regarding prediabetes among a sample of family physicians in (Baghdad city).

To assess the level of knowledge among family physicians regarding prediabetes. The cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1 to June 30, 2020, at primary healthcare centers in Al-Karkh and Al-Rusafa health directorates of Baghdad, Iraq, after approval from the ethics review committee of the College of Medicine, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad. The sample comprised family physicians of either gender. Data was collected using an pre-designed, structured questionnaire that was disseminated online. Data was collected using SPSS 25. Of the 145 questionnaires distributed, 113(78%) were returned duly filled; 99(87.6%) females and 14(12.4%) males. The overall mean age was 34.21±5.8 years (range: 26-49 years), The knowledge level was good in 60(53.1%) cases, and 59(52.2%) suggested screening programmes as a preventive measure. Good level of knowledge was significantly associated with having diabetes or family member with diabetes 44(51.7%), attending training courses 37(44.1%) and professional experience >10 years 15(25%). More than half the respondents had a good level of knowledge about prediabetes. There is a need to improve the knowledge of physicians further about prediabetes.

Prevalence of cervical dysplastic lesions in cervical smears from Baghdad city: a single centre study.

To assess the association of demographic and clinical features of patients with clinicopathological markers in cases of abnormal Pap smear. The retrospective study was conducted from July 2020 to June 2021 at Al-Elwiya Maternity Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq, and comprised data from January 2019 to June 2020 of women who underwent Pap-smear. Data was retrieved for patients' age, marital status, smoking status, clinical symptoms at presentation, findings of clinical and cytological examinations, as well as follow-up or human papillomavirus testing data where applicable. Data was analysed using SPSS 26. Of the 560 women with mean age 40.42±10.211 years, 26(4.6%) were attending the hospital for routine check-ups/screening, and 12(2.1%) for follow-up screening with previous abnormal Pap-tests, while the rest had been referred for medical consultation. The most common diagnosis was negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy 403(72%) Cervical epithelial abnormalities were seen in 136(24.3%) cases, and, of them, 12(8.8%) returned for follow-up. Epithelial abnormalities had a significant association with age, clinical presentation, and clinical examination results (p<0.05), while it had a non-significant relation with marital and smoking statuses (p>0.05). The majority of subjects were referred cases, with routine cervical screening being <5%. Increasing public awareness about the importance of cervical screening and follow-up is essential.

Visual Pollution of the Banks of the Tigris River in Baghdad City Capital of Iraq

The study titled "Visual Pollution of the Tigris Riverbanks in Baghdad City" consists of two main sections: the first section is dedicated to the theoretical framework, while the second section covers the practical aspect (field study). Specific areas of Baghdad were selected for this study due to the widespread presence of solid waste along the riverbanks. The importance of the study lies in the fact that visual pollution is one of the dangerous types of pollution that affects both human health and the environment. The study concluded that visual pollution along the Tigris River banks results from the impact of human activities spread linearly along the river, and the lack of environmental awareness among residents has negatively affected the river environment through the disposal of household and construction waste and the discharge of untreated wastewater from sewage treatment plants. The research recommends the importance of strict monitoring of human activities near the river, imposing financial penalties on violators of environmental standards, and working on rehabilitating and developing the riverbanks to make them attractive environments for residents, turning them into tourist and recreational areas that serve the city.

The Role of Soundscape on Urban Attractiveness in Traditional Cities

The soundscape is an immanent part of the open spaces in historical cities. This study aims to investigate the role of soundscape in enhancing urban attraction and its effect on intentional behavior. This is based on a questionnaire survey, which is conducted in compliance with ISO/TS 12913-2:2018, of 31 visitors in the Almutanabi and Almurad (alkadhmya) streets in historical blocks in Baghdad city. SPSS software is used to analyze the data. The results indicate that soundscape has a positive significance on urban attraction and the overall response to the sound source identification shows that the sound of human beings is dominant strongly while the sound of technology comes in second place and the sounds of nature are limited. In general, positive soundscape perception may contribute to the urban attraction of open spaces in historical cities.

Relationship Between Short and Long Wave Radiation with Cloud Cover in Baghdad City

Short waves are waves that have a short wavelength and are characterised by high frequencies. Therefore, they propagate over short distances from the source and are used for wireless communications and radio broadcasting. As for long waves, they have a long wavelength characterised by low frequencies and usually extend far from the source easily. When the clouds prevent sunlight from reaching Earth, it reflects a large part of it and absorbs part of the radiation that passes through it, so that less radiation reaches the Earth’s surface as a result of the clouds. The daily data of the high, medium, and low cloud cover, as well as the daily and annual data of solar radiation (long and short-wave radiation) were extracted from satellite data collected by the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) over the Baghdad station at 00:00 am and 12:00 pm for the period (2015-2019). The study aims to find the effect of cloud cover on long and short waves and to find the type of relationship between them. The results showed that. The High and medium clouds are more visible in winter and less in summer. The clouds of all kinds decrease at 00:00 am and can be observed at noon. The relationship between solar radiation and cloud cover is inverse. In 2015 different types of clouds appeared, including low-lying cumulus and cumulus-medium. The radiation of long waves increases in the spring and summer when the amount of solar radiation entering the atmosphere is greater, and therefore the atmosphere derives its heat from these long waves emanating from the surface of the earth, at a time when the air could not absorb the short waves that make up the sun’s rays when it penetrated it. Through the Pearson coefficient test, several results were obtained, including that the relationship between high, medium, and low cloud cover, as well as total solar radiation, showed an inverse association; the more clouds there are, the less solar radiation reaches the earth’s surface.

Study and evaluation of wind power density for the use of small wind turbine under Baghdad conditions

The main aim of this research is to analyze the characteristics of the wind speed and wind power density in Baghdad City within micro-scale meteorological conditions at Mustansiriyah University Meteorological Station (MUMS). Temperature, atmospheric pressure and wind speed data were taken for one year (2016) measured at a height of 18 m above the earth's surface. Hourly, monthly, and seasonal changes in wind speed at an altitude of 30 m were estimated using a power law. The mean diurnal and monthly air density was calculated. Different statistical distributions were used, including the Rayleigh, Gamma and Weibull distributions, and the best distribution function was selected to evaluate the wind power density in the study area. The results showed the highest monthly mean of wind speed recorded in June and July. Therefore, these months have the highest wind power density. The lowest monthly mean of wind speed and wind power density was observed in December. The maximum and minimum values of air density were recorded in December, January and July, August, respectively. The monthly variation of the shape parameter (k) ranges between 0.99 - 1.81, while the monthly variation of the scale parameter(c) ranges between 1.07 - 2.3 m s-1. It was also found that the Weibull distribution was more accurate than the Rayleigh and Gamma distributions. The prevailing wind direction is northeast (NE) and east-northeast (ENE) most of the time. The research results showed that the study area is not suitable for using wind energy to generate energy.

Prediction of Water Quality Parameters of Tigris River in Baghdad City by Using Artificial Intelligence Methods

Prediction of Water Quality Parameters of Tigris River in Baghdad City by Using Artificial Intelligence Methods

Measuring Changes in Temperature Rates due to Urban Expansion in Selected Municipalities of Baghdad using GIS Technology

The expansion of building blocks at the expense of agricultural land is one of the main problems causing climate change within the urban area of a city. The research came to determine these indicators, as a study was conducted on the expansion of the building blocks in three municipalities in the city of Baghdad for a period of four decades extended in the form of time cycles for the period (1981-2021) and using ArcMap GIS 10.7 technology. Then, the impact of this expansion on temperature rates was evaluated, as they are the most important climatic elements due to their significant effect on the rest of the elements. The results showed a clear, direct relationship between the increase in urban expansion rates and the corresponding rise in temperature rates, which results in urban heat islands. The results for the last time cycle showed high expansion rates for the municipalities of Al-Kadhimiya, Al-Shaala, and New Baghdad (62.2, 82.4, and 92.1), respectively, and were offset by high-temperature rates (25.2, 25.49, and 25.67) for the same municipalities, respectively, as the highest rates were recorded in the New Baghdad municipality, followed by the municipality of Al-Shaala, in second place, then the municipality of Al-Kadhimiya, with the lowest rates due to its location on the Tigris River.

Iraqi Meteoric Water Line and its Application in Groundwater-Surface Water Connection

The LMWL was re-plotted from the isotopic analysis data (δ2H and δ18O) for rainwater samples collected from three stations in Baghdad city in the current study and data from previous studies. Four samples of shallow groundwater and five samples from the Tigris River were isotopically analyzed for 2H and 18O using a Liquid-Water Stable Isotope Analyzer (LWSIA). The samples were collected from the Al-Jaderia area within the University of Baghdad. The analysis was done against Vienna Standard Main Oceanic Water (VSMOW). The isotopic composition of groundwater ranges between -43.91‰ and -37.57 ‰ for 2H with an average of -40.06±2.7 ‰, while it ranges between -6.28‰ and -6.01‰ for 18O with an average of -6.14±0.1‰. These values are slightly more depleted compared to the isotopic composition of the Tigris River water (-38.79 ‰ to -37.87 ‰) for 2H with an average of -38.05±0.9‰ and between -6.23‰ to -5.11 ‰ for 18O with an average of -5.74±0.4 ‰. This is a logical result since the river is usually fed with fresh new rainwater, which isotopically is relatively more enriched. The current study confirms that the Local Meteoric Water Line (LMWL) has a formula of δ 2H‰ = 7.5 δ 18O‰ + 13. The LMWL is located above the Global MWL by +13.9‰ toward the Eastern Mediterranean (EMMWL δ2H‰ = 8 δ 18O‰ + 22), indicating the origin rainwater from the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The groundwater and surface water isotopic compositions were below the LMWL due to the evaporation of shallow groundwater. There is interconnection between river water and groundwater, directly or by recharge from irrigation water. Iraq may have two different MWLs, one for the northeastern region and the other for the middle, western and southern Iraq. The MWL for the northern eastern region of Iraq is close to that of the EMMWL, indicating Mediterranean climate and vapor source, while the rest of the areas of Iraq have MWL with various isotopic compositions affected by more hot climate in these regions and by the continental tropical air masses.

Unlocking the Symbolic Tapestry: Exploring Symbolism in Ahmed Ardalan's The Gardener of Baghdad

Using Roland Barthes' semiotic theory, this study article explores the symbolic aspects of Ahmed Ardalan's 2014 novel, The Gardener of Baghdad. The research seeks to reveal the several layers of meaning inside the text by examining the book using the ideas of signifier and signified, as well as denotative and connotative meanings. This analysis demonstrates how Ardalan's use of symbols enriches the storyline, mirroring profound cultural, historical, and emotional settings. The results demonstrate the intricate interaction of symbols in the book, providing a more profound comprehension of its themes and emotional intensity. This study examines how carefully Ahmed Ardalan uses symbolism in The Gardener of Baghdad, paying particular attention to the garden, the red rose, and the glorious city of Baghdad. Ardalan explores deep issues of love, grief, and culture via these symbols, weaving a story with a wealth of nuance and complexity. The garden is a haven and a symbol of optimism because it demonstrates that love can flourish even in the face of adversity. The red rose symbolizes the beauty and fragility of love, as well as the unescapable suffering that comes with losing someone. The portrayal of Baghdad as a historically and culturally significant city embodies the people's tenacity and enduring spirit. This study reveals how these symbols are more than just literary devices—rather, they are crucial components that raise the novel's thematic depth. By unraveling this symbolic tapestry, the research provides a better understanding of Ardalan's reflection on the human condition, demonstrating the enduring significance of his writing.

Improving the building's thermal performance by using untraditional building blocks

AbstractIraqi buildings consume high-level electrical energy for air conditioning purposes to provide the standard human comfort condition. This paper adopted an experimental study by using Styrofoam adhesive or white cement as an alternative to ordinary Portland cement to manufacture building blocks with dimensions of 200 × 200 × 200 mm containing an internal core with dimensions of 90 × 130 × 130 mm, which were filled by using corrugated scratch-up or closed air gap. The samples were divided into two sets: the first had an aluminium foil layer applied to the external surface of the samples (reflective surface), while the second was without any layer (ordinary surface). The samples were tested under the climatic conditions of Baghdad city during the summer months (May to September) of 2021. These blocks were also evaluated by different structural tests. It can be seen from the test results that the use of Styrofoam adhesive with a reflective surface with panels of corrugated scratch-up increased the thermal insulation of the wall. It leads to reduce thermal leakage and the electrical energy consumed to provide comfortable thermal conditions by 52.7%, in addition to decreasing the mass density by 14.1% while compressive strength decreased by 21%.