ABSTRACT

Argemone ochroleuca Sweet, Brit. Fl. Gard. Ser.1 3(2): pl. 242 (1828) of the family Papaveraceae is reported here for the first time from Libya. This species is native to Mexico. Flowering specimens of A. ochroleuca were collected from the region Ariggiba (26°35’11.8”N 13°29’24.8”E), 110 km southwest of the city of Sabha, which lies about 700 km south of Tripoli. It is presented with updated nomenclature, taxonomic description, geographical distribution, key to genera, location in Libya, and colour photographs taken in the field. The voucher specimens are deposited in the Herbarium of Botany Department (ULT), University of Tripoli, Libya.

SUMMARY This research documents the initial finding of Chloris pycnothrix Trin., frequently referred to as spiderweb chloris, in Libya, particularly from the Ariggiba region close to Sabha city. This grass, originating from tropical and subtropical regions, is versatile and may become invasive. It was recognized via morphological examination during field surveys in 2023–2024, with samples stored in a herbarium. The species flourishes in alluvial plains as well as in disturbed habitats like road shoulders. It can be mistaken for Chloris virgata, although they differ in some important morphological aspects. It was previously believed that only one species of Chloris existed in Libya. This study provides a revision and an identification key for them in the context of Libyan flora. The tolerant nature of C. pycnothrix to drought, combined with its ability to colonize poorly maintained land, makes its potential introduction—most likely through anthropogenic means—alarming ecologically and emphasizes the need for management strategies to contain its spread and monitor its impact. 

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

This paper proposes a novel robust blind color image watermarking technique that combines entropy analysis, lifting wavelet transform (LWT), QR factorization, and discrete cosine transform (DCT) for copyright protection. The RGB components of the color image are first separated, and the R component is then subjected to the 2-level LWT. Following DCT is applied to the 2-level LWT's high-frequency sub-band, the DCT coefficients are separated into 4x4 non-overlapping blocks. Each chosen block is then subjected to QR factorization, and the watermark is embedded in the first row and first column element of the upper triangular matrix. Numerous simulated tests show that the presented scheme is highly imperceptible and robust to attacks. The presented watermarking scheme performs better than the others in terms of invisibility, according to comparisons with comparable schemes.

Abstract. The cosmopolitan or banded garden spider, Argiope trifasciata (Forskål, 1775), the lobed spider, A. lobata (Pallas, 1772) and the MENA lobed spider, A. sector (Forsskål, 1776) are reported, figured and described for the first time in Gharyan city, northwestern of Libya, based on adult female specimens gathered from different plants:- amaranth, haloxylon, prickly saltwort, retama, safflower, vetches, across various sites in the city. Unpublished reports of Argiope species were recorded in 1934 along the Libyan coast.

مؤخرًا برزت عدة تساؤلات حول طبيعة علاقة الذكاء الاصطناعي بالذكاء البشري، فالهدف من هذه الدراسة هو مناقشة فرضية أن العلاقة بين الذكاءين يجب أن تُبنى على التكامل لا على التنافس. واعتمدت الدراسة على المنهج الوصفي التحليلي من خلال مراجعة الأدبيات الحديثة التي تناولت الإمكانات التكاملية بينهما.. كما واوصت الدراسة بتبني اطار تعاوني تشاركي (الذكاء التشاركي) والذي يعزز التفاعل الايجابي بين الانسان والآلة..

Abstract The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education is progressively transforming teaching, learning, and administrative practices globally, with significant potential for application in Libya. the purpose of this research is to discuss and evaluate the benefits and risks of AI in the education system of Libya. To achieve this, a descriptive research approach was employed, using a questionnaire distributed to a selected group of educational professionals in Libya. The sample consisted of 1,000 participants, and the survey was conducted via the WhatsApp application. The results highlight that personalized learning received the highest mean score of 4.19, indicating strong agreement on its effectiveness. Automation of administrative tasks (mean 3.80) and data-driven decision-making (mean 3.98) also showed favorable perceptions, with low variances around 0.24 0.25, reflecting consistent responses. Improved student engagement had a mean of 3.91 and a standard deviation of 0.49, similar to others, suggesting overall positive and uniform attitudes. Additionally, most responses clustered around neutral to moderate agreement, with modes of 3 or 4, showing balanced or mildly supportive opinions. Variance values ranging from 1.39 to 1.48 suggest a moderate spread, indicating some disagreement among participants. Standard deviations around 1.18 to 1.21 confirm a consistent yet moderate level of variability, without extreme polarization The obtained results show strong agreement on the benefits of educational innovations, especially personalized learning, which had the highest mean, and all aspects scored highly with low variability, indicating consistent positive perceptions. At the same time, the conclusions reveal moderate concern among respondents about the cost and inequality issues related to AI in education, with variance and standard deviation values reflecting a consistent spread of opinions. This research contributes to the academic discourse on the impactful integration of AI in academic institutions and establishes positive perceptions for continual enhancement. Overall, funding infrastructure emerges as the most pressing challenge, with general agreement across participants. Keywords. Artificial Intelligence, Education, Personalized Learning, Libya. 

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: 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.