Abstract

Dental caries is a widespread infectious disease influenced by bacterial activity, dietary factors, and host

susceptibility. Community water fluoridation has been a key public health measure for caries prevention,

particularly in children. The optimal fluoride concentration in drinking water (0.7 mg/L) balances caries

reduction with minimal fluorosis risk. This study assessed fluoride levels in drinking water and their

correlation with dental caries in primary school children in Gharyan, Libya. A cross-sectional study was

conducted on 350 children (aged 7–10 years) from urban and rural schools in Gharyan. Water samples from

five stores and one groundwater source were analyzed for fluoride concentration using an ion-selective

electrode. Dental caries was assessed using the dmft/DMFT index. Fluoride levels in water stores were

negligible (0.0–0.1 mg/L), while unfiltered groundwater exhibited high concentrations (6.0–7.0 mg/L),

exceeding WHO guidelines (1.5 mg/L). The low fluoride availability in most drinking sources suggests

limited caries-preventive effects from water fluoridation in this region. The study highlights insufficient

fluoride exposure in Gharyan’s public water supply, potentially contributing to higher caries prevalence.

Further research is needed to evaluate alternative fluoride delivery methods and assess groundwater safety

to optimize oral health outcomes.

Keywords. Fluoride Concentration, Drinking Water, Dental Caries, Primary School

Abstract: Vitamin D deficiency is a public health concern affecting many individuals as it is highly prevalent in

all parts of the world. Recent studies have reported an association of vitamin D deficiency with cardiometabolic

alterations such as dyslipidemia. The study aimed to evaluate vitamin D and lipid profile levels among the Libyan

adult population and investigate the correlation of vitamin D deficiency with the alteration of lipid profile levels.

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Janzour Hospital among 193 subjects (107 males and 86 females) whose

ages ranged between 20 and 50 years over three months from Sept to Dec 2023. Vitamin D, cholesterol,

triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein levels were estimated. The total mean vitamin

D levels were 8.31±4.74, 23.83±2.78, and 42.67±7.95 ng/dl for deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency,

respectively. The findings revealed significant alterations in cholesterol (increase), triglyceride (increase), LDLcholesterol

(increase), and HDL-cholesterol (decrease) among subjects who had vitamin D deficiency or

insufficiency as compared to subjects having vitamin D sufficiency. Vitamin D levels were negatively correlated

with cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol, and they were positively associated with HDL cholesterol.

The incidence of dyslipidemia is higher in the vitamin D deficiency group than in the insufficiency and sufficiency

groups. It is essential to frequently monitor lipid profiles among vitamin D-deficient individuals to avoid

subsequent disorders or damages associated with the alterations of lipid profile patterns.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) is a medical plant known for its antioxidant properties, which are attributed to bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and terpenoids. The study aimed to compare the antioxidant efficacy of natural chamomile with three commercial brands, A (Italian chamomile (Sonny)), B (Italian chamomile (Restora)), and C (German chamomile (UTZ)) available in Libyan markets. Methanol extracts of all samples were prepared by maceration, and antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH radical scavenging assay. All data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA, with A p-value < 0.05, which was considered statistically significant. Results revealed significant differences in IC50 values, with natural chamomile exhibiting the highest potency (IC50 = 3.35 mg/ml ± 0.055), followed by Brand A (IC50= 3.56 mg/ml ± 0.04) and Brand C (3.88 mg/ml ± 0.21). Brand B showed the weakest activity (IC50= 5.01 mg/ml ± 0.04). The statistical analysis confirmed the superiority of natural chamomile over commercial variants. Our findings suggest that processing methods, storage conditions, or potential additives in commercial products may degrade bioactive compounds, reducing antioxidant efficacy. This study highlights the advantage of minimally processed natural chamomile for optimal antioxidant benefits, and it underscores the implications for consumer choice and quality control in the manufacturing of herbal products.

Abstract: This paper presents simulation technique for life assessment of the insulation of the power transformer. Load and ambient temperatures are two important factors that influence the hot spot of transformers. The transformer hot spot temperature is one of the most critical parameter in determining the life of transformer paper insulation. The simulation (Matlab Software Package) is based on related international standards as the IEC 60076-7:2005 loading guide method. Load and ambient temperatures of the transformer obtain from General Electrical Company and meteorology office of Libya are used as the input for the simulation together with transformer parameters from heat run test. Hottest spot temperature and loss-of-life are calculated. Lifetime of transformer is predicted. Keywords: Hot-spot temperature, power transformer, top-oil temperature, loss of life

Abstract

William Shakespeare’s "Hamlet," written around 1600, is one of the most famous tragedies in the English language. The play is rich in themes such as revenge, madness, mortality, and the complexity of the human condition.                   

This paper analyzes the dramatic structure using Freytag’s pyramid and Aristotle tragedy theory as a framework. They examine the play’s exposition, inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution, and conflict combining with Aristotle theory to understand how Shakespeare constructs a powerful tragedy. The method used in this study is a descriptive qualitative, which aims to analyzing and collecting data from the play and some referential books, library ,websites and other data sources that were useful for the analysis.The study also explores the significance of Hamlet in literary studies. The results of the study have pedagogical implications for teaching English literature for students and language learners. 

Key words: Hamlet ,Aristotle theory, Freytag pyramid, tragedy drama.