Modelling of sensored speed control of BLDC motor using MATLAB/SIMULINK

Recent developments in the field of magnetic materials and power electronics, along with the availability of cheap powerful processors, have increased the adoption of brushless direct current (BLDC) motors for various applications, such as in home appliances as well as in automotive, aerospace, and medical industries. The wide adoption of this motor is due to its many advantages over other types of motors, such as high efficiency, high dynamic response, long operating life, relatively quiet operation, and higher speed ranges. This paper presents a simulation of digital sensor control of permanent magnet BLDC motor speed using the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment. A closed loop speed control was developed, and different tests were conducted to evaluate the validity of the control algorithms. Results confirm the satisfactory operation of the proposed control algorithms

Modeling of Groundwater Recharge by Rainwater Harvesting-Wadi Bayer (Case Study)

Wadi Bayer is one of Jordan's desertic areas with very low precipitation and limited water resources. It is a typical example of the Jordanian water scarcity chronic condition. Groundwater recharging strategy is one of the long-term solutions of such water scarcity problem due to harsh climatic conditions and high evaporation rate. The groundwater resources in the area are utilized by the Bedoins for their domestic and cattles' uses. The groundwater is abstracted through three shallow wells drilled in the course of Wadi Bayer. The limited amount of the groundwater in the area is attributed to the limited natural recharge through the wadi bed during the occurrence of floods. In this study, a location of recharging dike was proposed at a distance of 150-200 m to the south-west of the existing wells, its reservoir area was estimated by 0.0285% of the catchment area of Wadi Bayer, which reflects the rare runoff occurrence. A home-made spread sheet model and an HEC-HMS model were used in order to estimate the surface runoff. The alluvium deposits and Rijam formation are the only rock unit groupings in the study area. The permeability of the topmost 2 meters, which form the floor of the reservoir, is 11.82*10-2 cm/sec. The top soil column was tested for permeability in the lab through test pit excavation. Seven boreholes were drilled in the site with different depths ranging from 5 to15m, the permeability test was conducted for different depths, ranging between 7.331* 10-6 and 1.805*10-3. A groundwater model was run using Processing Mode Flow software to indicate the natural recharge in the area due to the filling of the reservoir from flood water, for 30 day- and 15 day- retention periods. It was found that the groundwater table will rise in the range of 0.33 to 1.5 m and 0.11 to 0.90 m for both retention periods, respectively

Contrast enhanced computed tomography findings in 105 horse distal extremities

The poor soft tissue conspicuity of CT can be improved by using intra-arterial CT Angiography (CTA), and intra-articular and intra-bursal contrast enhanced CT (CTAR). This retrospective study describes a combination protocol of CT and CTA of the horse's foot, and CTAR of the distal interphalangeal joint and navicular bursa. It is hypothesized this would provide a comprehensive overview of the range and severity of distal limb pathology. Radiology reports of all horses admitted for distal limb CT over a 5 year period were reviewed. All horses with a complete four stage CT examination and radiology report with lameness isolated to the foot were included. Twenty seven imaging findings using a four grade semiquantitative severity scoring system contributing towards six main diagnostic categories were described. One hundred and five examinations on 56 horses revealed a diagnosis of navicular bone disease in 64%, deep digital flexor tendinopathy in 43%, distal interphalangeal osteoarthritis in 35%, navicular bursitis in 31%, distal interphalangeal collateral ligament desmopathy in 26%, and hoof capsule and distal phalanx pathology in 10%. Only 25% of the navicular bone disease cases were considered clinically significant. The majority of deep digital flexor tendon lesions (77%) and distal interphalangeal joint osteoarthritis (51%) were considered significant. Approximately one third of navicular bursa (37%) and collateral ligament (33%) abnormalities were considered significant. Navicular bursa abnormalities were associated with navicular bone and deep digital flexor tendon lesions. The findings support the hypothesis and the use of this protocol for evaluation of foot lameness

National assessment of pharmaceutical workforce and education using the International Pharmaceutical Federation’s global development goals: a case study of Qatar

Background: The sustainable development goals were launched by the United Nations in 2015. Its fifth goal was describing the achievement of universal health coverage by 2030. This goal reaffirms the importance of investing in the development and training of the global health workforce. In alliance with this, the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) has published reports about pharmacy workforce planning in several countries. However, data about Qatar were not included in these reports. In 2017, FIP developed a transformational roadmap of pharmaceutical workforce and education. One systematic framework component of the roadmap is the Pharmaceutical Workforce Development Goals (DG[w]s) that were released in late 2016 and subsequently incorporated into the more comprehensive Global Development Goals1 in 2020, encompassing not only workforce development, but additionally practice and pharmaceutical science development. This study aimed to evaluate the current situation of pharmacy workforce and education in Qatar in relation to the original 13 Pharmaceutical Workforce Development Goals (DG[w]s). The objective was to identify the gaps in pharmacy workforce and education and to recommend evidence-led strategies to be included in both the Ministry of Public Health and the Qatar University College of Pharmacy workforce development plans. Methods: Three rounds of conventional Delphi technique were conducted with expert panels of key decision-makers in pharmacy practice from the College of Pharmacy at Qatar University and the Ministry of Public Health, utilizing the FIP’s self-assessment survey. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze and prioritize the identified gaps from the collected data. DG[w] was considered “met” if all the provided indicators were achieved, “partially met” if at least one of the indicators were achieved, and “not met” if none of the indicators were achieved Results: The lack of competency framework (DG[w]5), workforce data (DG[w]12), and workforce policy formation (DG[w]13) are three major gaps in the provision of pharmaceutical workforce and pharmacy education in Qatar, influencing other DG[w]s. These gaps need to be addressed by the formation of Qatar Pharmaceutical Association through which academic, practice, and policymaking sectors can work together in developing health workforce intelligence system. Conclusion: The results indicated that DG[w]s are interrelated and a gap in one goal can negatively influence others. Results and recommendations of this research will facilitate the implementation of strategic plans across leading pharmacy sectors to meet health needs in Qatar and achieve the third pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030

Vascular Function and Handgrip Strength in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Objective. To examine the relationship of handgrip strength with forearm blood flow (BF) and vascular resistance (VR) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Methods. Forearm BF at rest (RBF) and after upper arm occlusion (RHBF), and handgrip strength were examined in 78 individuals (RA = 42 and controls (CT) = 36). Subsequently, VR at rest (RVR) and after occlusion (RHVR) were calculated. Results. The patients' RBF (P = 0.02) and RHBF (P = 0.0001) were less, whereas RVR (P = 0.002) and RHVR (P = 0.0001) were greater as compared to the CTs. Similarly, handgrip strength was lower in the RAs (P = 0.0001). Finally, handgrip strength was directly associated with RBF (r = 0.43; P = 0.0001), and RHBF (r = 0.5; P = 0.0001), and inversely related to RVR (r = −0.3; P = 0.009) and RHVR (r = −0.3; P = 0.007). Conclusion. The present study uniquely identifies an association between regional measures of forearm blood flow and handgrip strength in patients and healthy control. In addition, this study confirms the presence of vascular and muscle dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, as evidenced by lower forearm blood flow indices, at rest and following occlusion, and lower handgrip strength as compared to healthy individuals

Elastodynamic singular points and their applications

Suitable singularites such as a dynamical Kelvin quadropole are defined to study the dynamical displacements set up in an infinite homogeneous and isotropic elastic medium. Approximate solutions are presented up to terms which are of higher order than those known so far

Probable Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Some Long-Term Irrigated Soils with Zarga River Water in Jordan

Heavy metals are bio-accumulated and bio-transferred both by natural and anthropogenic sources. The contamination by heavy metals in plants and water is one of the major issues to be faced throughout the world and requires attention because heavy metals above their normal ranges are extremely threatened to both plant and animal life. It was therefore of interest to conduct study to estimate levels of heavy metals in water and soil at Zarga River. Soil and water samples were also analyzed for physico-chemical parameters such as pH, and electrical conductivity. The aims of this study were to determine level of some heavy metals in water of Zarga River and to examine the probable accumulation of heavy metals in soils irrigated with Zarga river water in contrast with adjacent soils in the area. Results showed that the pH, EC, and water electrolytes (Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl, HCO3, SO4) of water samples at the middle of the river (B) were higher than that at the beginning or at the end of the river . On the other hand, it was shown that the pH, EC, Cd, Pb, and Ni values of soil samples near the river (location A) were higher than other samples that were away including (B location) and (C location). Keywords: Soil, Heavy metals, Water, pH, Electrical conductivit

The Clinical and Nonclinical Values of Nonexercise Estimation of Cardiovascular Endurance in Young Asymptomatic Individuals

Exercise testing is associated with barriers prevent using cardiovascular (CV) endurance (CVE) measure frequently. A recent nonexercise model (NM) is alleged to estimate CVE without exercise. This study examined CVE relationships, using the NM model, with measures of obesity, physical fitness (PF), blood glucose and lipid, and circulation in 188 asymptomatic young (18–40 years) adults. Estimated CVE correlated favorably with measures of PF (r = 0.4 − 0.5) including handgrip strength, distance in 6 munities walking test, and shoulder press, and leg extension strengths, obesity (r = 0.2 − 0.7) including % body fat, body water content, fat mass, muscle mass, BMI, waist and hip circumferences and waist/hip ratio, and circulation (r = 0.2 − 0.3) including blood pressures, blood flow, vascular resistance, and blood (r = 0.2 − 0.5) profile including glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglycerides. Additionally, differences (P < 0.05) in examined measures were found between the high, average, and low estimated CVE groups. Obviously the majority of these measures are CV disease risk factors and metabolic syndrome components. These results enhance the NM scientific value, and thus, can be further used in clinical and nonclinical settings

Relationships between selective neuronal loss and microglial activation after ischaemic stroke in man.

Modern ischaemic stroke management involves intravenous thrombolysis followed by mechanical thrombectomy, which allows markedly higher rates of recanalization and penumbral salvage than thrombolysis alone. However, <50% of treated patients eventually enjoy independent life. It is therefore important to identify complementary therapeutic targets. In rodent models, the salvaged penumbra is consistently affected by selective neuronal loss, which may hinder recovery by interfering with plastic processes, as well as by microglial activation, which may exacerbate neuronal death. However, whether the salvaged penumbra in man is similarly affected is still unclear. Here we determined whether these two processes affect the non-infarcted penumbra in man and, if so, whether they are inter-related. We prospectively recruited patients with (i) acute middle-cerebral artery stroke; (ii) penumbra present on CT perfusion obtained <4.5 h of stroke onset; and (iii) early neurological recovery as a marker of penumbral salvage. PET with 11C-flumazenil and 11C-PK11195, as well as MRI to map the final infarct, were obtained at predefined follow-up times. The presence of selective neuronal loss and microglial activation was determined voxel-wise within the MRI normal-appearing ipsilateral non-infarcted zone and surviving penumbra masks, and their inter-relationship was assessed both across and within patients. Dilated infarct contours were consistently excluded to control for partial volume effects. Across the 16 recruited patients, there was reduced 11C-flumazenil and increased 11C-PK11195 binding in the whole ipsilateral non-infarcted zone (P = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively). Within the non-infarcted penumbra, 11C-flumazenil was also reduced (P = 0.001), but without clear increase in 11C-PK11195 (P = 0.18). There was no significant correlation between 11C-flumazenil and 11C-PK11195 in either compartment. This mechanistic study provides direct evidence for the presence of both neuronal loss and microglial activation in the ipsilateral non-infarcted zone. Further, we demonstrate the presence of neuronal loss affecting the surviving penumbra, with no or only mild microglial activation, and no significant relationship between these two processes. Thus, microglial activation may not contribute to penumbral neuronal loss in man, and its presence in the ipsilateral hemisphere may merely reflect secondary remote degeneration. Selective neuronal loss in the surviving penumbra may represent a novel therapeutic target as an adjunct to penumbral salvage to further improve functional outcome. However, microglial activation may not stand as the primary therapeutic approach. Protecting the penumbra by acutely improving perfusion and oxygenation in conjunction with thrombectomy for example, may be a better approach. 11C-flumazenil PET would be useful to monitor the effects of such therapies