Several methods are used as tools for family planning and to avoid unintended pregnancies. It is important for healthcare providers to consider various factors when discussing contraceptive options with patients. This study explored the most commonly preferred methods pf contraception by Libyan women. Age of the women and number of children as well as women’ education were the most significant factors that influence selection of the contraception method. Results of the current study emphasized the need for more family education programs that provide more details about new methods of contraception as Libyan women seems to use more traditional methods of contraception.

Hypertension is known to be a major disease that causes advanced and continuous high levels of blood pressure in the human circulation system. The initiative mechanism of action of hypertension starts with an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) that exists in two forms (endothelial and soluble in blood). Normally, the disease is treated by chemically prepared medication which may cause health complications. Despite that, the current article attempted to find alternatives to the chemically prepared medications including bioactive compounds (antihypertensive peptides) derived from meat products. The aim of this research was to determine the antihypertensive activity of hybrid peptides from muscle proteins of fresh beef and pastirma (dry-cured muscles). The beef and pastirma were digested with pepsin and trypsin to generate miscellaneous but not specific bioactive peptides. The samples were subjected to in vitro analyses to evaluate their ACE inhibitory activity using a substrate (HHL) representing angiotensin. Effects of processing and dry-curing treatment, which normally causes a lysis action on the chemical structure of proteins in beef and pastirma were also investigated. As a result, the processing of beef into pastirma degrades the major proteins such as MHC (200kDa) and many enzymes including: β-galactosidase, Phosphorylase B, Lactate Dehyrogenase, Trypsinogene into small peptides. Hydrolysates in fresh beef and pastirma with protein concentration of 5.65 and 6.09mg/ml showed inhibition rates against ACE activity of 83 and 79%, respectively. The biological values (IC50) of antihypertensive activity were 0.68 and 0.78 mg/ml for fresh meat and pastirma, respectively. Proteins in fresh beef have remarkable ACE inhibitory activities, which makes it a potent model for sourcing bioactive peptides to treat hypertensive abnormalities. We suggest that miscellaneous peptides from fresh meat will provide nutraceutical compounds after digestion by intestinal proteases. Hybrid bioactive peptides may differ in potency and duration of action against ACE activity. However, data indicated that it is not necessary to process meat into pastirma to enhance its biological activities. These findings demonstrated the protective effect of bioactive peptides derived from beef demonstrate that they are of significant importance for therapeutic interventions of hypertension-related complications.

Keywords: Antihypertensive Activity; Bioactive Peptides; Pastirma; Protein

ABSTRACT

This paper aims to focus on the selection of TESOL research participants. It was noted that many EFL postgraduate students face problems regarding the selection of participants for their TESOL research. Therefore, this paper reviews the literature on sampling research in general and within the discipline of TESOL. The paper clarifies the terms and strategies used in selecting research participants. By understanding and applying the principles and methods of sampling designs, EFL postgraduate students can enhance the validity and reliability of their research findings and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of TESOL research. Keywords: TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), Selection of research participants, EFL post graduate students

ABSTRACT

This article presents another method to improve the performance

and efficiency of a gas-fired power plant in Al-Zawia, Libya. In

order to improve power plant efficiency and increase power, the

principle of a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG), which is

mainly based on the waste heat energy of exhaust gases generated

by a simple gas turbine unit, is a method that can be used for

improvement. The present system was simulated using Aspen

HYSYS software. For validation purposes, the simulation results

were compared with the actual operating data, net power and

thermal efficiency of the cycle under the same conditions. These

results show a high level of agreement between theoretical and

practical data. This agreement enables and provides good

implementation to use this software to simulate an entire combined

cycle. In addition, operating parameters that influence power plant

performance were examined. The results show that the combined

cycle improved the thermal efficiency and net power output by

49.8% and 50%, respectively, under the same operating conditions.

The results also showed that compressor pressure ratio and inlet air

temperature have significant effects on thermal efficiency and net

power produced in both simple and combined power plants