Wadi Alshatti University Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas <p>Wadi Alshatti University Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences (WAUJPAS) is an open access, multidisciplinary, peer‐reviewed, biannual journal. The first issue of the journal appeared in 2023. It aims to contribute in improving publishing scientific research in the Libyan community and other places as well. WAUJPAS publishes original research papers written in Arabic or English free of charges. There are no fees on publication with WAUJPAS.</p> <p>OUR VISION<br />WAUJPAS aspires to enable to have an important role as a research incubator at the national, regional and international levels.</p> <p>OUR MISSION<br />Emphasizing the high quality of scientific research to enhance its ethics, meet the requirements for publishing distinguished scientific research, and building partnerships with researchers in Libya and international research institutions.<br /><br />You can see the journal's own website <a href="https://www.waujpas.com/index.php/journal/about" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> Wadi Alshatti University en-US Wadi Alshatti University Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences 3006-0877 Study of the effect of thyroid disorders on reproductive function in a sample of infertile women https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306457 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This study was conducted to investigate the effect of thyroid disorders on fertility in women. The study included 210 women between the ages of 25 and 45 years. Participants were divided into three groups. The first group included 120 women previously diagnosed with thyroid disorders, including 60 women with hypothyroidism and 60 women with hyperthyroidism. The second group included 30 healthy women who served as a control group. The third group included 60 pregnant women with thyroid disorders, 30 women with hypothyroidism, and 30 women with hyperthyroidism. The cases were followed to identify fetal problems resulting from thyroid disorders during pregnancy and after delivery. Levels of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and prolactin (PRL) were determined. The results showed significant differences between healthy women and women with hypothyroidism in level of PRL (P≤0.05), FSH (P≤0.05), and LH (P≤0.05). No significant differences were found between healthy women and women with hyperthyroidism. The regression analysis results showed that in cases of hypothyroidism, thyroid hormones affected FSH (P≤0.05), LH (P≤0.05), and PRL (P≤0.05), with decreased FSH and LH levels and increased PRL level. In cases of hyperthyroidism, thyroid hormones affected LH (P≤0.05), leading to an increase in LH level, while FSH and PRL levels remained normal.Therefore, thyroid dysfunction may be a major hormonal factor in fertility problems, and therefore, thyroid hormone assessment is very important in pregnancy monitoring and in the treatment of infertile women.</span></p> Naeimah Jibreel Asweeken Mohamed Ahmed Younes Ibrahim Ali Ashnaf Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 1 7 A comparative analysis of VxWorks OS and Windows CE in embedded real-time applications https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306459 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Real-time operating systems (RTOS) play a pivotal role in critical applications such as aerospace, industrial automation, and healthcare. Among the widely used platforms, VxWorks and Windows CE stand out for their versatility and real-time capabilities. This paper provides a comparative analysis of VxWorks and Windows CE, focusing on their architectures, scheduling mechanisms, and suitability for real-time applications. The study examines each operating system’s core features, real-time performance metrics, and application-specific implementations using data from documented benchmarks and case studies. The analysis reveals that VxWorks excels in hard realtime environments due to its deterministic scheduling, while Windows CE offers greater flexibility and integration capabilities for soft real-time tasks. This study provides valuable insights for developers and engineers in selecting the appropriate RTOS based on application-specific requirements.</span></p> Saleh Abuazoum Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 9 15 The environmental impact and societal conditions of PV power plants: A case study of Jericho Gate-Palestine stat of https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306600 <p>To address the issue of decline in the energy sector of Palestine, the energy consumption breakdown is as follows: Israel 87%, Jordan 2%, renewable energy 3%, and Gaza generates 8% of the energy demand, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. For this reason, investments in renewable energy sources in Palestine, particularly in Jericho, have risen notably, as all power plants influence the environment, including photovoltaic (PV) power plants. Given their intended large capacities, evaluating their environmental impact is essential. Enhancing the production technology of PV system components , boosting solar cell efficiency, and utilizing materials that are more environmentally friendly will help mitigate these effects. The aim of this paper is to examine the current state of the environmental effects of PV power plants amidst these evolving conditions regarding CO2 emissions, land use, pollutant and noise emissions, and water usage, and to develop an environmental management plan to reduce the adverse impact of PV.</p> Maher Al-Maghalseh Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 16 31 The effect of some hydrocolloids on physical and sensory properties of gluten-free cake https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306603 <p>This study aimed to develop gluten-free cake using a blend of rice and corn flour, while enhancing its physical and sensory properties through the addition of xanthan and guar gum. The cake was prepared by incorporating varying proportions of the gums (0.5% and 1%), and their effects were evaluated on physical properties such as bulk density, porosity, specific volume, and weight loss, as well as sensory attributes including color, flavor, freshness, and overall acceptability. The results demonstrated that the addition of 0.5% xanthan and guar gum significantly improved the lightness and aeration of the cake, increased its specific volume, and reduced weight loss, reflecting the gums' ability to enhance moisture and gas retention in the batter. Furthermore, the gum-treated samples exhibited improved flavor and overall acceptability compared to the control, achieving higher scores in taste and aroma. Additionally, the inclusion of the gums contributed to reducing the staling (firming) process of the cake, thereby enhancing its quality and shelf life. The study concluded that the optimal blend (0.5% xanthan and 0.5% guar gum) produces gluten-free cake with physical and sensory properties comparable to traditional cake, making it a suitable option for individuals with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.</p> Salah Al-Hebeil Altaher Elfeturi Alfathe Elbarkoli Sumaia Shniba Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 32 43 Assessment of nitrate concentration in some leafy vegetables in Brack Alshatti local market https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306604 <p>This study aimed to determine the concentration of nitrate content in eleven different leafy vegetables collected from the Brack local market in Brack during the year 2023. These leafy vegetables include chard, dill, parsley, lettuce, Spanish, coriander, salad rocket, chives, white cabbage, red cabbage, and Lactuca sativa. Nitrate was determined using the spectrophotometer method; the nitrate concentration was 235.97–249.54, 235.84–238.59, 235.57–249.26, 237.28– 249.22, 237.58–245.81, 236.91–241.07, 236.40–247.26, 237.71–24.23, 237.58–238.10, 237.06– 249.39, and 236.94–249.23 mg/kg dwt. Their nitrate concentration (mean ± SD) mg/kg dwt. was 245.15±4.06, 242.19±3.81, 240.94±4.73, 240.56±3.72, 240.8±3.13, 239.36±1.43, 237.75±0.85, 243.4±3.86, 237.92±0.18, and 244.2±5.86, respectively. The highest concentration among leafy vegetables was determined in chard (245.15±4.06 mg/kg/dwt), while the lowest nitrate concentration was determined in dill (237.75±0.85 mg/kg/dwt). The results indicate that the nitrate concentration in the leafy vegetables did not vary significantly. The nitrate concentration in leafy vegetable samples was lower than the permissible limits recommended by the FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. Multivariate statistics indicated that most vegetable samples exhibited no correlation. Only three principal components were identified to interpret the results, accounting for 100% of the total variation among the eleven leafy vegetables. The cluster analysis produced a dendrogram that grouped the sampled vegetables according to their nitrate concentration dissimilarity. This dendrogram revealed variations among the eleven vegetables studied.</p> Samar Amhemmad Alakhdhari Fatima Mohamed Alzouam Mansour Awiadat Salem Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 44 51 The impact of loss of power supply probability on design and performance of wind/ pumped hydropower energy storage hybrid system https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306605 <p>Hybrid renewable energy systems is broadly adopted because they are eco- friendly systems. The general electric grid in Libya has suffered from shortage during the recent years . However , Libya has formidable opportunities for investment in clean energy .Their wind energy resources are promising. The southern region of Libya has demonstrated the viability of utilizing pumped hydroelectric and wind energy for electricity generation, thereby addressing the deficit and strengthening the resilience of the public grid. In this study, hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) consists of 432 MW of wind energy farm and 10782 MWh of pumped hydropower system has been designed, analyzed and optimized to meet a demand of 590,019 MWh. The decision to design these systems is strongly affected by energy prices and pollution. The impact of the Loss Power Supply Probability (LPSP) and the cost of CO2 emissions on the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) is loss discussed</p> Suliman Mahmoud Ahmad Abdalla Agrira Yasser Fathi Nassar Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 52 62 Disease detection from real clinical data using Hadoop MapReduce: A case study at Al-Mukhtar Clinic, Tripoli https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306607 <p>This paper investigates the application of Hadoop MapReduce for analyzing large-scale clinical data in the context of cardiovascular risk prediction. Utilizing a dataset comprising over 500,000 real-world medical records collected from Al-Mukhtar Clinic in Tripoli, the research implements a distributed analytical pipeline that integrates Hadoop MapReduce with the Spark tool, in addition to machine learning algorithms such as K-means and K-Medoids clustering, hierarchical clustering, and decision trees, was used to identify patterns and classify patients. . The proposed system achieved a data processing efficiency of 92% and a predictive accuracy of 89% for cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, the integration of advanced analytics led to a 15% improvement in diagnostic accuracy over conventional methods. The architecture demonstrated scalability, fault tolerance, and operational resilience, making it particularly suitable for healthcare environments with limited computational resources. These findings highlight the potential of data-driven methodologies to enhance clinical decision-making and public health outcomes in resource-constrained settings.</p> Majeda M. Abdosalam Nassir M. Abuhamoud Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 63 74 High-pressure compression, liquefaction and metal hydrides for hydrogen storage https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306460 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hydrogen storage involves the safe and efficient containment of hydrogen. Hydrogen storage is highly essential due to hydrogen's potential as a clean, green energy source that can enhance the utilization of energy derived from renewable resources. However, due to high flammability of hydrogen, its storage possess some challenges regardless of the storage method employed. To contribute to the existing literature and deepen the understanding of hydrogen storage methods, this review paper briefly examines the use of high-pressure hydrogen compression, hydrogen liquefaction and metal hydrides for hydrogen storage. The findings from the reviewed work suggest that each process comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages regarding storage density, safety, energy requirements and more. Overall; however, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Effective hydrogen storage is crucial for the utilization of hydrogen across various applications, playing a crucial role in the decarbonization of associated sectors.&nbsp;</span></p> Abdulaziz H. Mohamed Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 The prevailing saline composition in some soils of the Southwestern Regions of Libya https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306502 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The study was conducted in the southwestern region of Libya. Five soil profiles were selected from the salinity-affected area: Wanzerik and Ashkada in Wadi Al-Shati, Al-Jadid in Sabha, and Al-Hamra and Bint Bay in Wadi Al-Hayat. Twenty samples were collected, four samples from each profile according to the pedological change of the soil. After conducting chemical analyses of the samples, the average quality of the dominant salts in the soil profile was determined according to Al-Zubaidi's method, by linking the different ions that make up the salts with each other so that the least soluble salt dominates first, then the most soluble, in order (carbonate salts, bicarbonates, sulfates, chlorides, and finally nitrate salts) respectively. The results showed that the soil of the region contains high concentrations of salinity reaching (22.62 dS/m) at a depth of 20-45 cm in the Bint Bayah area, and that the saline composition of the salts prevailing in the soil of the region in general, sodium chloride salts, which are characterized by their high solubility, were the most widespread in all the soil of the region, especially the Bint Bayah and Wanzarik soils, which are (66.69-63.16 mmEq/L), respectively, followed by calcium bicarbonate salts, which are less soluble in water, the highest percentage was in the Bint Bayah soil, where it reached 32.10 mmEq/L. As for the medium-soluble calcium sulfate salts, the highest percentage was in the Wanzarik and Bint Bayah soils, which were (31.3-24.52 mmEq/L), respectively. And the medium-soluble magnesium sulfate salts. The highest percentage was in the soil of Bint Bayh and the soil of Wanzariq, reaching (32.79-13.38 milliequivalents/liter), respectively. As for the remaining salts in the soil, they may be present in small or non-existent percentages in the soil of the region. The results of this research can be relied upon in making decisions related to agricultural planning in the study area, as well as future land reclamation projects in southwestern Libya.&nbsp;</span></p> Ahmed Mohamed Binmiskeen Yousef Mansour Bohajar Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 75 81 Effect of mixing ratios using local pozzolana as a partial cement replacement on plastic cracking in cement mortar https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306565 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Premature cracking during the plasticization stage is an undesirable phenomenon in concrete, causing subsequent problems in the durability and structural performance of structures. The term "plastic shrinkage cracking" is used to describe cracks that form in concrete between the moment of pouring and the moment of setting. The objective of this research is to investigate the effect of different mixing ratios and the use of pozzolana as a partial cement replacement, in addition to the effect of water-to-cement ratios on the formation of plastic shrinkage cracks, particularly in hot and dry environments with high evaporation rates. Experiments were conducted on cement mortar mixes with water-to-cement ratios of 0.45, 0.60, and 0.80, and with pozzolana replacement ratios of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%. The results showed that increasing the water-to-cement ratio significantly increased plastic shrinkage cracking, especially in reference plots, while adding pozzolana at a rate of 10% helped reduce cracking and improve the cohesion of the mixture. As the pozzolana ratio increased to 20% and 30%, a slight increase in cracking was observed, indicating that higher than the ideal ratio may lead to adverse results. The study recommends using 15% pozzolana as a partial cement replacement to achieve the best balance between reducing cracking and improving concrete performance in harsh environmental conditions.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> Mohammed Aqila Fouad Farouj Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 93 97 Internally balanced spatial elasticity tensor https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306566 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An ongoing research has applied arguments of calculus of variations to the portions of the deformation gradient multiplicative decomposition. This internally balanced treatment has a condensed material elasticity tensor that is formulated in terms of decomposed principal stretches. This work provides an explicit formulation to determine the condensed spatial elasticity tensor. The explicit formulation introduces an alternative procedure that is equivalent to pushing forward of the condensed material elasticity tensor. A demonstration is presented using an internal balance logarithmic constitutive model. A case study of simple shearing verifies the correctness of the new formulation.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> Ashraf Hadoush Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 98 101 Removing powerline interference noise from electrocardiogram (ECG) signal https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306567 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The electrocardiogram (ECG) is regarded as an essential diagnostic tool, as it serves as a representation of the cardiac electrical activity and is extensively employed in the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases, as well as in assessing the overall health of the heart. ECG signals yield critical insights into the functional condition of the heart and its associated parameters; however, these signals are frequently vulnerable to distortion caused by various types of noise. Such noise includes powerline interference, baseline wandering, electromyographic noise (EMG noise), and artifacts resulting from electrode movement. Powerline interference is characterized by a 50 Hz frequency component, and its amplitude typically constitutes 50% of the peak-to-peak amplitude of the ECG signal. This interference predominantly arises from electromagnetic disturbances associated with power lines. The objective of this study is to process the ECG signal utilizing MATLAB. We employed a Notch filter for the initial preprocessing of the signal and applied two families of wavelets, namely Symlets and Biorthogonal wavelets, to mitigate the impact of powerline interference on the ECG signal. Subsequently, we compared the efficacy of these wavelet families in the signal processing framework by evaluating the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and the Signal Correlation Value (SCV). The findings demonstrated that the Biorthogonal wavelet family outperformed the others, as the application of the Biorthogonal wavelet 2.4 resulted in a Signal-to-Noise Ratio of SNR=20.2553 dB and a Signal Correlation Value of SCV=0.9956.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> Ibrahem Soliman Al Sadi Sirajaldeen Alfthi Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 102 108 Prevalence of <i>Trichomona vaginalis</i> among married women attending some private clinics in Brack Alshatti, Libya https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306608 <p>This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of <em>Trichomonas vaginalis</em> among married women attending gynecological clinics in Brack Al-Shati area. The study included A total of 255 cases of which 255 vaginal swabs and 255 urine samples were collected in the period between January 2019 to March 2020. The targeted samples were subjected to direct microscopic for parasite presence. The vaginal swabs were also examined by staining with Wright Giemsa staining technique. Of overall samples examined 30 (11.8%) were infected with the parasite by using direct examination of vaginal swabs, and 5 (2.0%) samples out of 255 urine samples were infected with the parasite. Highest infection rate (13.3%) was reported in the age group 18-28 years. The results showed that about 45.5% of pregnant women were infected with the parasite, and this was statistically significant when compared to non-pregnant (P&lt;0.05). Women who had a miscarriage recorded increased infection (15.6%) over those who do not experience miscarriage. The majority of the infected cases were coincided with one or more symptoms of infection, and the most common symptoms were vaginal discharge (19.1%). The results showed a significant correlation between infection with the parasite and the presence of vaginal discharge (P&lt;0.001). The results also showed strong correlation between the infection and presence of epithelial cells (P&lt;0.05). Infection was accompanied by raise in the pH of the vaginal environment (7&gt;) with a strong significant correlation between the infection and pH of vagina. The current study showed that trichomoniasis is common among women in the study region. Due to the similarity of the clinical symptoms of trichomoniasis with other sexually transmitted diseases, laboratory tests are necessary to confirm the infection. Given the adverse effects of infection, especially in pregnant women, it is important to take the necessary measures to reduce the spread of infection with the parasite and other sexually transmitted diseases.</p> Raja Aboubakr Alghanay Aisha Mohammad Altajory Awatif Mohamed Abdulsalm Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 109 115 The effect of metformin on Vitamin B12 in type 2 diabetes patients in Wadi Etba Region, Southern Libya https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306609 <p>Metformin is the first choice for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in the world, but with the long duration of therapy, it causes a decrease in the level of vitamin B12 in diabetic patients. Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with many clinical symptoms that significantly impact the health of diabetic patients. This study aimed to know the effect of metformin on vitamin B12 in type 2 diabetes patients in the Wadi Etba region. This study was conducted during the period from 2023/3 to 2023/6. Data was collected using the questionnaire tool, using the descriptive analytical approach. A total of 100 individuals aged 18 to 80 were surveyed (43% males, 57% females). The study found that the most common dose of metformin was 500 mg, which was taken at a rate of 61%, the longest duration of use was 2–5 years at a rate of 34%, and the dose ranged between 500 and 2000 mg. The duration and dosage of metformin were associated with the emergence of symptoms: numbness in the extremities occurred first at 73%, followed by depression at 60%, retinopathy at 58%, and digestive disorders, changes in memory, neuropathy, and heart problems at 44%, 52%, and 56%, respectively. The results show a significant link between the duration of metformin use and numbness or tingling in extremities and a connection between dosage and neuropathy or memory changes. Metformin may also cause vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms. It is recommended that type 2 diabetes patients taking metformin monitor vitamin B12 levels and consider supplements.</p> Mohammad Al. Al-Tahir Nawal A. Ibrahim Ali M. Nouh Mabrouka M. Al-Darmoun Annour M. Alalem Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 116 119 Study and analysis of baseband signal using eye diagram https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306610 <p>This study investigates a two-level baseband transmission system, emphasizing the effects of noise level and transmission rate on signal integrity. The Nyquist criterion for distortionless transmission is validated under varied conditions. An eye diagram is used to visualize the impacts of jitter, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and inter-symbol interference (ISI) on data quality. Results show that the eye opening narrows when transmission rates exceed the Nyquist limit, increasing bit error rate (BER). BER is computed using both the Gaussian distribution model and a hardware-based error counter. Findings confirm an exponential rise in BER as input noise increases, with a maximum BER of 0.02328 observed at 0 dB noise level. These results highlight the critical role of noise control and bandwidth constraints in baseband system performance.</p> Hanan A. Abudrbala Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 120 124 Prediction of Wind Energy Potential in Tajoura and Mislata Cities https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306611 <p>Estimating the potential of wind energy is the first step on the path to transitioning to renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources. Therefore, it is essential to have information and knowledge about the availability of wind energy for each specific location. This study focuses on the wind energy and wind assessment in Tajoura city (1,2) and Mislata city (1,2) This paper first provides background information about wind power and its resource, including a review of available data, which are obtained from the representative meteorological stations. For each location, long term time series of 3-hourly measured wind data were used; the wind data has been recalculated to represent the actual wind speed at hub height. The mean wind speed, the Weibull distribution, annual energy and annual capacity factor are calculated for each site. The annual energy and annual capacity factor calculation are based on specification of wind turbine known as Vestas (V60- 850kW), This study indicates that wind energy is available in both Tajoura and Mislata have an acceptable power, annual energy and capacity factor.</p> Ali M. Elmabruk Mesbah M. Salem Mohamed M. Khaleel Ahmad E. Mansour Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 125 131 Effectiveness of calcium hydroxide as an alkaline activator of geopolymer mortar https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306612 <p>The construction industry is facing growing environmental challenges due to its heavy reliance on Portland cement, which accounts for approximately 8% of global CO₂ emissions and consumes substantial amounts of energy and natural resources. In light of these concerns, geopolymer technology has emerged as a promising and sustainable alternative. Geopolymers are inorganic binders formed by the alkaline activation of aluminosilicate-rich materials such as metakaolin, offering significantly lower carbon emissions and favorable physical and mechanical properties. This study investigates the effect of varying calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) content on the physical and mechanical properties of geopolymer mortar produced from locally available metakaolin in southern Libya. Experimental mixes were prepared with different Ca(OH)₂-to-pozzolan ratios and tested for compressive strength, water absorption, apparent density, and porosity. The results showed a non-linear relationship between Ca(OH)₂ content and compressive strength. The optimal mixture contained 30% Ca(OH)₂, achieving compressive strengths of 16.76 MPa after 7 days and 20.65 MPa after 28 days. Higher Ca(OH)₂ contents led to decreased performance due to increased porosity and the presence of unreacted Ca(OH)₂. A strong inverse correlation was observed between compressive strength and both water absorption and porosity, highlighting the critical role of microstructural integrity.This study concludes that precise control of calcium hydroxide content enhances the pozzolanic reaction and improves both the mechanical strength and durability of geopolymer mortars. The findings provide valuable scientific data for the development of eco-friendly, cost-effective construction materials and support the global movement toward sustainable development, particularly in regions with abundant local raw materials such as southern Libya.</p> Amer Saidy Fouad Farouj Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 132 137 Numerical solution of natural convection in vertical channels https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306613 <p>A numerical study was conducted on a large vertical channel simulating passive solar air collector. The k–T turbulence model, implemented using the PHOENICS software, was applied to a vertical channel measuring 1 m in height and 1 m in width. The channel was heated from one side by a uniform heat flux (UHF), representing the absorber plate, while the opposite side (glazing) remained unheated. Different heat inputs (Q<sub>in</sub>) and various aspect ratios (s/H) were tested. The governing equations, including turbulence transport equations, were solved using the finite volume method. Velocity profiles were determined to monitor the hydraulic development of airflow along the channel. Results showed that the average velocity increased with decreasing aspect ratio, while the mass flow rate increased with increasing aspect ratio. The Nusselt number - Nu(s) - and the Reynolds number - Re(s) - were used as the dimensionless heat transfer and air flow rate respectively were correlated against two independent variables, the modified Rayleigh number - Ra* - and aspect ratio - s/H. Various empirical correlations were derived of the airflow and heat transfer rate represented by Nu(s) and Re(s) respectively. Numerical results were validated against previous experimental data from the literature, showing good agreement.</p> Ahmed Habeb Ahmed Alashlam Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 138 148 Study and comparison of physical and mechanical properties of highway base layer materials from different sources https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306614 <p>The construction of durable and safe highway infrastructure relies heavily on the mechanical properties of base course materials, such as strength and gradation. This study investigates base course materials from five different sources, aiming to evaluate their physical and mechanical properties. Laboratory tests, including sieve analysis, liquid and plastic limits, Proctor compaction, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), and Los Angeles abrasion tests, were conducted following ASTM standards. Results revealed significant differences among the samples: four samples met ASTM specification limits, with Los Angeles abrasion values ranging from 17.2% to 49.3% and CBR values between 75.6% and 182.8%. One sample failed to meet the grading and CBR criteria. These findings underscore the importance of thorough material testing to ensure road stability and longevity.</p> Hassan Awadat Salem Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 149 155 First record of <i>Alysidiella parasitica</i> causing Chocolate leaf spot on <i>Eucalyptus woodwardii</i> in the middle region of Libya https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306615 <p>The study was conducted at Al-Qardabiya nursery for forest production in the Sirte region in Libya during march 2022 to determine the causal agents of <em>Eucalyptus woodwardii</em> trees infected with Chocolate leaves spots diseases during March 2016, where the disease incidence reached 100% in all trees. Diseases severity observed in the upper eastern direction was 16%, and in the upper northern direction was 50%, while it was recorded under the trees and near the soil surface at 75%4 Results of the microscopic isolation showed that <em>parasitica</em> <em>Alysidiella </em>anamorphic fungi <em>Heteroconium</em> sp pathogenic fungus was present in 80% of all the tested plant pieces, and was associated with <em>Alternaria</em> sp. in 20% of the tested samples cause Chocolate leaves spots diseases . The severity of infection leaves was recorded at 12% at the upper northern and eastern ends of the trees and 88% at the lower ends. The results of the field survey and the severity of the disease indicated a high sensitivity to the disease. This is the first report on the occurrence of <em>parasitica Alysidiella</em> pathogenic fungus in Libya.</p> Farhat Ali Abouzkhar Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 156 161 Carbon emissions life cycle assessment of cement industry in Libya https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306616 <p>The cement industry is experiencing rapid growth due to the swift urban expansion in various countries around the world, with global cement production reaching approximately 4.2 billion tons in 2024. The cement industry contributes about 44% of total CO<sub>2</sub> emissions in the industrial sector, which is estimated to account for around 30% of global emissions. This study aims to estimate CO<sub>2</sub> emissions throughout the life cycle of the cement industry in Libya by tracking CO<sub>2</sub> emission sources in four cement production plants from the quarry stage to the demolition phase and waste transport to landfills. It also considers the additional amount of CO<sub>2</sub> emissions from cement-exporting countries to the Libyan market (Egypt, Tunisia, and Turkey) during manufacturing and transportation processes. Including the CO<sub>2</sub> emissions from imported cement within the total CO<sub>2</sub> emissions of locally produced cement is a novel addition exclusive to this study, which has contributed to determining the true environmental cost of cement production in Libya. The results obtained indicate that the CO<sub>2</sub> emission factor for the cement industry in Libya is approximately 1,083.60 kg CO<sub>2</sub> per ton of cement consumed in Libya, a figure that is high compared to the global average of 0.798 tons CO<sub>2</sub> per ton of cement, and is close to the emissions of some countries such as Egypt, South Africa, and Myanmar, which rely on traditional fuels for energy production in cement plants. The study also identified the contribution percentage of each stage of the cement industry life cycle to CO<sub>2</sub> emissions. Additionally, the study presented some measures and strategies to reduce pollution and mitigate environmental damage.</p> Mohamed-Inweer Abdulrahman Inweer Yasser Fathi Nassar Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 162 173 Evaluation of the association between HbA1c and the Atherosclerosis Index of Plasma (AIP) in diabetic patients in Benghazi, Libya https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306617 <p>Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major metabolic disorder associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and the Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) are key biomarkers linked to the progression of cardiovascular complications in diabetic patients. This study aims to evaluate the association between HbA1c and AIP in T2DM patients in Benghazi, Libya. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Al-Tariq Hospital in city of Benghazi in the period between February and June 2024, involving 292 T2DM patients. Blood sample were collected form the patients and analyzed for Fasting blood sugar(FBS), HbA1c, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoproteins (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and AIP was calculated (AIP = log10(TG/HDL-C). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, correlation analysis, and linear regression to assess the relationship between HbA1c and AIP. The findings revealed a moderate positive correlation between HbA1c and AIP (r=0.51, P&lt;0.001), indicating that higher HbA1c levels are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis. Significant gender differences were observed, with male patients exhibiting higher AIP values than females. Additionally, a positive correlation was found between HbA1c and TG as well very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), while an inverse correlationwas observed with HDL.This study demonstrates the critical role of optimal glycemic control in reducing cardiovascular risk among type 2 diabetes patients. Routine assessment of HbA1c and AIP is recommended as an essential component of comprehensive cardiovascular risk evaluation and prevention strategies.</p> Abdalruof S. Mabrouk Albashir M. Yhmed Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 174 178 Design of a hybrid renewable energy system to meet housing thermal loads: Performance evaluation under real conditions of a house in Samno region, Libya https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306618 <p>Hybrid renewable energy systems (HRESs) offer promising prospects for meeting residential heat demand in Libya. This research proposes the design of a hybrid renewable energy system that incorporates solar thermal, biomass, and geothermal energy. The analysis is applied to a realistic residential load case located in the Samno region in southern Libya, taking advantage of the region's unique geography and climate. First, the optimal size of the system components is investigated based on Solargis climate data, biomass energy data, and residential heat load data. The system components are modeled and analyzed using SAM software with the help of Excel and Jupyter Notebook. The results show that the proposed hybrid system is capable of meeting residential heat demand, with an initial capital cost of approximately $3,027 and a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of approximately $0.054/kWh. Furthermore, the system contributed to a reduction of 425 kg of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The results of this work are expected to open new horizons for researchers and planners of hybrid renewable energy systems and their use to reduce the increasing energy demand for thermal loads in urban and rural areas.</p> Abdul Hafeez Ahmed Aqila Ahmed Abubaker Yasser Fathi Nassar Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 179 191 Reliable and robust optimal interleaved boost converter interfacing photovoltaic generator https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306620 <p>This article introduces a simple and reliable interleaved boost converter that interfacing photovoltaic (PV) generator. The PV generator is driven at Maximum Power Point (MPPT) via Perturb and Observe (P&amp;O) algorithm. A simple control strategy based on a Proportional-Integral (PI) controller is advised to control the boost chopper and the PV generator. PI improves the dynamic performance, reduce the steady-state error, and increase the robustness against nonlinearities and parameter variations. The controller parameters are optimally tuned using the bio-inspired Goose Optimization Algorithm (GOA), which exhibits fast convergence and high efficiency in complex optimization tasks. The simulation studies corroborate the proposed ability of the system to maintain constant DC link voltage, accurately track current references, and achieve high power conversion efficiency under dynamic operating conditions.</p> Dhari A. Albuzia Alaa F. Ali Mansour A. Mohmed Ahmed A. Hafez Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 192 201 Using the quality control chart to evaluate the quality of some biochemical tests (glucose and creatinine) in some private medical laboratories in Brack Alshatti Area https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306621 <p>Clinical chemistry laboratories play a critical role in healthcare, contributing to approximately 70% of medical decision-making through the provision of accurate and reliable test results. Given this significant impact, ensuring and continuously monitoring the analytical quality of these laboratories is essential. This study aimed to assess the analytical performance of selected biochemical parameters—namely, creatinine and glucose—in three private clinical laboratories located in the Brack Al-Shatti region, Libya. Quality assessment was conducted using LeveyJennings control charts based on commercial quality control (QC) materials. Quality control charts were established for each laboratory, and performance was evaluated based on Westgard multirule criteria. The analysis revealed violations of the following rules: 12s (warning rule), as well as 13s and 22s (rejection rules), indicating potential analytical errors or imprecision in test procedures. Despite the long-standing integration of quality control principles in clinical laboratory practice, their application remains suboptimal in many local settings. The findings highlight the need for rigorous implementation of standardized internal quality control protocols, supported by continuous training and oversight, to ensure the reliability of diagnostic results and enhance patient safety.</p> Najah M. Fadel Albashir M. Yhmed Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 202 206 Evaluation of the concentration of some heavy metals in some fish species https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306622 <p>This study aimed to evaluate the concentration of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), and chromium (Cr) in the tissue muscle of seven fish species samples collected from a local market of Sebha, including Sardina pilchardus, Scomber scombrus, Pagrus pagrus, Carangoides praeustus, Diplodus vulgaris, Boops Boops and Mullus barbatus, using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The results show that the concentrations of Fe, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cr ranged from 1.17 to 7.87, 2.03 to 6.50, 1.43 to 4.00, 1.17 to 2.47, 1.43 to 9.33, 2.17 to 3.60, and 2.23 to 5.17 µg/g, respectively. dry weight, in descending order. The results show that the concentration of Fe, Cu, and Zn were within the permitted limits; however, the concentration of Ni, Pb, Cd, and Cr exceeded the allowed limits. The evaluation of metal sources in fish tissue was conducted using correlation analysis, the principal component analysis (PCA), and cluster analysis. The findings demonstrate that the presence of these contaminants is linked to human activities and the discharge of lubricants in fishing areas.</p> Saeda Maatoq Ali Mohamed Mansour Awiadat Salem Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 207 212 Performance evaluation of the encrypted image transmission system over optical fiber using Optisystem under varying channel conditions https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306623 <p>This paper presents the design, simulation, and performance analysis of an end-to-end optical communication link for encrypted grayscale-image transmission. Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is applied to encrypt the image in MATLAB and then convert a 256 × 256 image into a binary sequence, which is then injected into OptiSystem. for optical modulation and fiber-optic transmission. Three operating wavelengths) 810 nm, 1550 nm, and 1625 nm( are investigated over distances of 50 km, 80 km, 100 km, and 150 km under different dispersion and attenuation conditions. Both a conventional Optical Amplifier (OA) and an Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) are considered. The performance of the system is assessed through various metrics in the electrical domain, such as the Q-Factor and Bit Error Rate (BER), alongside image quality indicators like Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR), Structural Similarity Index (SSIM), and Mean Squared Error (MSE). The results prove that the 1550 nm band yields error-free recovery (BER ≈ 10⁻¹⁷⁶, PSNR = 54 dB, SSIM = 1.0) under realistic single-mode-fiber parameters (α = 0.2 dB/km, D = 16 ps/nm/km). Conversely, heavy attenuation (α = 2.5 dB/km) and dispersion (D = 10 ps/nm/km) degrade performance severely, especially at 810 nm. The study highlights the importance of wavelength selection and dispersion management for secure image delivery and provides a reproducible methodology combining MATLAB and OptiSystem. Future research can extend this work by exploring adaptive dispersion compensation, forward error correction, and advanced modulation schemes</p> Nawara Saleh Ali Abdulgader Mohammed Mohamed Melood A. Abdased Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 213 220 Power and carbon footprint evaluation and optimization in transitioning data centres https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306625 <p>Data centers are among the largest consumers of energy and significant contributors to global carbon emissions. This paper presents a comparative evaluation of two mathematical energy consumption models—the linear and cubic models—within a simulated cloud data center environment using the CloudSim toolkit. Key performance indicators were analyzed, including total energy consumption, carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, cost, power usage effectiveness (PUE), carbon usage effectiveness (CUE), response time (latency), and packet loss, under varying workload conditions.The cubic model demonstrated greater sensitivity to workload fluctuations and more accurately captured the dynamics of energy consumption in high-utilization environments, while the linear model offered computational simplicity and conservative estimates. The integration of 50% renewable energy sources led to substantial reductions in both emissions and operational costs. Specifically, the linear model recorded a 33.3% reduction in CO₂ emissions, a 71.5% improvement in CUE, and a 15.4% decrease in cost, while the cubic model achieved a 33.3% reduction in CO₂ emissions, a 23.2% improvement in CUE, and a 24.6% decrease in operational cost—demonstrating the effectiveness of clean energy adoption without compromising system performance or service quality.</p> Eman Almhdi Guzlan Miskeen Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 221 229 Multi-class classification of skin cancer images using a deep learning-based Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306626 <p>Skin cancer is one of the most common and serious types of cancer, often resulting from the transformation of melanocytes due to excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Early diagnosis significantly improves survival rates and reduces mortality. However, traditional visual diagnosis faces challenges in distinguishing between the seven main categories of skin conditions due to visual similarities and data imbalance. This study aims to develop an automated diagnostic model based on a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to enhance classification accuracy and reduce reliance on human evaluation. The HAM10000 dataset (Human Against Machine with 10,000 Training Images), comprising 10,015 images across seven categories, was used, with class imbalance addressed through Random Oversampling. The data were split into 80% for training and 20% for testing, with 20% of the training set reserved for validation. The model was constructed using sequential Conv2D and MaxPooling layers for feature extraction, followed by Flatten and Dense layers for final classification. Training was performed with the Adam optimizer for adaptive weight adjustment and the Categorical Crossentropy loss function suitable for multi-class classification. The model achieved an overall accuracy of 95.45% and demonstrated strong performance across all categories based on Precision, Recall, and F1-Score, with Precision ranging from 84% to 99% and a weighted average of 96% for both Precision and F1-Score. These results highlight the proposed model’s clinical significance as an intelligent decision-support tool, enhancing early diagnosis, reducing human error, and improving healthcare quality.</p> Fatima Abdulnabi Ahmed Al-Zahraa Hassan Othman Ali Abdrhman Ukasha Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 230 243 Hardware implementation of Newton-Raphson method for nonlinear stress estimation https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306627 <p>This research aims to develop and implement digital design for computing the uniaxial Cauchy stress of an internally balanced hyperelastic material using the Newton-Raphson (NR) iterative algorithm at a hardware level, such as Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology. FPGA technologies are semiconductor devices which provide a parallel processing technique essential for real-time systems when computational speed is critical. The NR algorithm is investigated based on FPGA to solve the internally balanced equation, which is developed at a high level of abstraction and then implemented using physical instruments to obtain actual data. The NR algorithm is programmed using VHDL language. Then, the design is simulated by ModelSim Intel program. The achieved results using hardware approach are compared with a MATLAB script to verify the functionality of the digital design. The digital system is fully implemented on the Cyclone V FPGA device using the Quartus Intel program. The accuracy and precision of the results obtained at the hardware level are acceptable, within the given threshold, depending on the data type representing the fractional number used for the computation, as well as the resources available, which depend on the FPGA technology used.</p> Shatha AbuShanab Ashraf Hadoush Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 244 250 Evaluating and improving the performance of the main traffic intersection in Brack AlShatti city (roundabout) using SIDRA intersection software https://www.ajol.info/index.php/waujpas/article/view/306629 <p>This research aims to evaluate and improve the operational performance of the main intersection in Brak Al-Shati city (Brak Roundabout), due to the severe traffic congestion, high delay levels, and low level of service (LOS) observed at this location, which negatively affects the overall efficiency of the city's transportation network. The study relied on the collection of accurate field data regarding traffic volumes and the geometric characteristics of the intersection, followed by analysis using the SIDRA Intersection software. This enabled a comprehensive assessment of key performance indicators such as degree of saturation, average delay, queue length, and level of service. Initial results showed that the roundabout (Brak Island) operates at or above its capacity, with very low levels of service reaching LOS F, especially during peak hours. Among the most effective improvements was the widening of approaches and the addition of new lanes at Brack Roundabout, which led to a significant performance improvement. The level of service increased from F to B, the average delay was reduced from 200.6 seconds to 14.5 seconds, and the degree of saturation decreased from 1.225 to 0.955 after the internal expansion of the roundabout. The results highlight the importance of adopting light and effective engineering solutions before resorting to complex traffic control systems, while integrating safety and infrastructure considerations into improvement plans. The study recommends the use of advanced analytical tools such as SIDRA Intersection for assessing the performance of urban intersections, conducting future traffic studies based on projected growth, and implementing an intelligent traffic monitoring system to ensure the sustainability of solutions and achieve maximum operational efficiency of the road network.</p> Muhi ALdeen Al-Zaydani Manssour Bin Miskeen Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 2025-09-21 2025-09-21 3 2 251 262