SFL- based Analysis of Thematic Structure of the Qurʾān (19:41-50): Some Reflections

The present study is an endeavor to explore applying Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) to the oldest Arabic text (the Qurʾān). The study point of departure is the textual metafunction (of the Sura 19:41-50), focusing principally on thematic structure (Theme-Rheme) for its role first in organizing the linguistic resources of both the experiential and interpersonal meanings in text production; and secondly in message unfolding. The salient results are the followings:  the use of   the three types of Theme (i.e., textual, interpersonal and topical).  The topical Theme, important in message unfolding, it is essentially realized by the verbal group in the declarative clause. By virtue of verbal inflection, the bound pronominal markers, expressing Subject in Mood system and the Participant in the transitivity system, expands Theme boundary to better reflect Arabic clause structure. As to Theme orientation, the semantic aspect of Theme function , it is seen that the interaction of  the verbal-locution- projection, modalization of Theme, in particular,  and other elements contributed to the saliency of interpersonal meanings. Though the Qurʾānic Arabic, of this narrative, lends itself for SFL analysis, the results should be interpreted as an approximation that needs further studies. That Theme, in this study, is register specific is too early to consider as comprehensive analysis of Qurʾānic narrative register is required to support these results. Finally, analyzing the Qurʾānic Arabic provides a support for SFL universality; and at the same time, SFL, as a sociosemiotic linguistic theory, offers new avenues to better understand the Qurʾānic texts in many ways

ELLIPSIS IN THE QURANIC STORY OF JOSEPH: A TEXTUAL VIEW

This paper describes the phenomenon of ellipsis in the story of Joseph, analysing the original Arabic text, at the structural level from a textual viewpoint. It is limited to an examination of the role of the ellipsis as a grammatical cohesive element. The textual approach to ellipsis is new to Arabic linguistic scholarship whose focus was exclusively on the formal relations, dictated by the syntactic rules, between the elements of the sentence. Ellipsis in Arabic is a multi-faceted topic elaborated under, and diffused through, different categories of grammar and rhetoric. As to the Qur’an it has been described by both grammarians & rhetoricians. Theoretical and applied considerations of the ellipsis topic are, therefore, highly interwoven. The results show that this story made use of ellipsis, as well as other devices, in particular the concealed subject pronouns and the narrative techniques, in building up cohesiveness. Further studies, both of this story and other stories, are required to shed more light on other elements involved in the text making

The Impact of Western Culture on the Transformation of Residential Patterns in One of the Heritage Areas in Baghdad (Neighborhood CREMAT / Salhiya - Baghdad Model)

The traditional housing of Baghdadi has undergone many transformations in the past century. This is noticed in many districts of traditional Baghdad and its heritage. In this period, architectural styles with Western influences were observed as a result of the political conditions and foreign colonization that swept the country. German architecture, English and French and other models in our old heritage stores, especially in the neighborhood of CREMAT in Salhia - Baghdad. With this level of complexity of the models, we have to disclose and study during the research process to reach the mechanisms and adaptation of Western models designed for an environment of a different nature adapted to our environment and the local Baghdad and take advantage of these global experiences in the design process. Therefore, the research highlighted the influence of Western culture on our Baghdadi architectural culture to preserve the landmarks of the past so that future children can see it. Ever since man's historical awareness of the past, the present and the future, he tried to record his present and preserve his past for the future. The urban heritage reflects the cultural identity of man: his past, his present and his future. Our Baghdad Municipality has been characterized by functional organization of the elements of the house, relying on the internal courtyard to provide the necessary privacy to the population and the use of local construction materials such as bricks, plaster, stone and palms and the use of the sheds in the internal atmosphere of the rooms. All examples of Baghdadi heritage architecture share a distinctive architectural character that belongs to the region and reflects all of its cultural, environmental and social conditions. Therefore, the research will try to reach the impact of these civilizations on the Baghdadi style, especially in the residential architecture of Baghdad. The objective of the research was to describe the effects of Western culture on the architectural style of the Salhia area and its adaptation to the local style of the region while attempting to come up with new and traditional indicators of transformation in residential patterns. In order to address the research problem, which is the phenomenon of divergence in the decisions of the traditional residential patterns in the locality of the CREMAT - Salhia, and to verify the goal of the desired research, the research plan is to analyze the chronological sequence of the ancient models in the region and identifying the identity of each model and then how to diagnose changes in traditional architectural styles through its holistic calendar and the appearance of the architectural style of the Salhia in this architectural form. The results showed the impact of Western cultures on the identity of the Baghdad residential area

Neurological Soft Signs, Cognition in Childhood, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Lifetime Major Depressive Disorder

Background: Neurological soft signs (NSS), subtle but abnormal motor and sensory signs and involuntary movements, have been implicated as risk factors for a number of psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Prior studies were based on small clinical samples, did not control for important confounding factors or examine domain or age specificity. Here we investigate the associations between NSS and multiple domains of cognitive functioning, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and its subtypes and finally with lifetime diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) and its age of onset in a large, population-based cohort, while adjusting for important confounding factors. Methods: We analyzed data from the Collaborative Perinatal Project (CPP), that followed the offspring of a pregnancy cohort till the age of seven and its follow up project, the New England Family Studies (NEFS) that followed the adult offspring of the Providence and Boston sites of the CPP. We adjusted for a wide array of confounding factors, including demographic variables as well as risk factors for brain injury and aberrant neurodevelopment. Results: NSS were associated with poor cognitive performance across all domains with no specificity. Each additional soft sign was associated with approximately 4 units drop in any cognitive score. NSS were associated with increased odds of all subtypes of ADHD. Each additional soft sign was associated with 70% increase in the odds of ADHD diagnosis. However, NSS was not associated with a higher risk of major depressive disorder in childhood compared to adolescence or adulthood. Conclusions: There is an association between NSS and poor cognitive performance and ADHD that is not attributable to established risk factors for brain injury and aberrant neurodevelopment. Further research should seek the mechanisms for these associations, and finally evaluate the effectiveness of interventions targeting NSS in the assessment and treatment of these childhood conditions

The Shi’a Crescent: a misconception of Shi’a alliance

The Shi’a Crescent is a term used to refer to a region spanning three major countries: Iraq, Lebanon, and Iran. These countries each have a large and active population of Shi’a. Shi’a is one of the two main Islamic sects. The thesis finds the formation of a politically unified Shi’a crescent unlikely. It highlights the importance to regard Shi’a identity as a dynamic mechanism that can change the political stage in the Middle East. The study focused on the three intended countries of the proposed crescent. Each was examined thoroughly and independently, in order to compare and contrast common concerns, interest, and circumstances that can lead to a possible unity of Shi’a in the region. Therefore, the research focused on three factors: sociopolitical representation, socioeconomic oppression, and the Shi’a identity. A greater emphasis is given to the reasons that lead Shi’a to maintain a distinct identity, rather than assimilating nationally. Because, maintaining this identity, allows for bids for support and power beyond the state level. It is necessary for the United States to recognize that the regional uses of Shi’a identity have implications for the stability of the states.http://archive.org/details/theshicrescentmi1094544509Civilian, Department of DefenseApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

IOT SYSTEMS FOR TRAVEL TIME ESTIMATION

This research introduces new approach for vehicle re-identification by computing Relative Entropy and Pearson correlation between ILD signatures, and then estimating TT based on the highest correlated signatures. To clear measure noise, TT for vehicles is assumed to follow the same pattern within a certain time frame. Thus, TT values are arranged in time series groups before applying a spike detection algorithm to determine the TT range with the highest number of vehicles. A data spike is considered for estimating TT. Given that the number of vehicles within the spike is greater than number of vehicles in all other data groups, TT will be the mean value of TT within the spike

An analytical study of some biomechanical variables on the short, medium and long-distance treadmill for Iraqi heroes

Kinetic analysis is considered an important science, which mainly depends on the use of laws and foundations used in biomechanics for the purpose of studying movement anatomically and mechanically. This research provides an overview of the various tasks involved in analysing movement of the human body. which relates to the analysis of the movement of athletes and their tracking to understand the most general behaviours of the athlete during jogging, it is noted that there are many mechanical variables that play a great role in achieving achievement for the athlete during the race including the length, frequency and time of the step as well as the maximum force of the exerts on the field the amount of pressure applied to the foot by the athlete during the racing stages. The researcher used the descriptive analytical method to process data and information related to the nature of the problem and the researcher chose a sample consisting of six Iraqi champions in a competition (100 m, 1500 m, 5000 m) in a deliberate way, two for each competition. For the time period from 9/11/2018 to 1/12/2018 in the biomechanical laboratory in the University of Kufa, using a scanner (gait analysis) and a time and length variable was chosen because it has A major role in the sports movement and its effectiveness during the race. the researcher concluded that the running rhythm for time and step length will be distributed in a balanced and according to the requirements of the race

Relation between Gallbladder Wall Thickness, Assessed by Sonography, and Difficulties in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard treatment for symptomatic gallbladder disease. Preoperative prediction of a difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy can help the surgeon to prepare better for intraoperative risk and the risk of conversion to open cholecystectomy. Objectives: Evaluation of the influence of gallbladder wall thickness, assessed by sonography preoperatively, on the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and to evaluate any intra- or postoperative complications in relation to them. Patients and Methods: This prospective clinical trial conducted in Department of Surgery, Al-yarmouk Teaching Hospital, between October 2010 and October 2012.Abdominal sonography performed in 122 consecutive patients before laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The surgeon re-verified sonographic findings in the operating room. Difficulty of laparoscopy was evaluated with multiple parameters related to the gall bladder wall thickness, so classified as easy or difficult laparoscopy or conversion. Results: Out of 122 patients with cholecystolithiasis on sonography, we encountered straight forward laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 87 patients (71.31%), difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 27 (22.13%) and the procedure was converted to open cholecystectomy in 8 patients (6.55%). 47 patients(38.5%) had sonography revealing gallbladder wall thickness (>3 mm), and 75 patients (61.47%) had wall thickness < 3mm . Conclusions: Gallbladder wall thickening is the most sensitive indicator of technical difficulties during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Such difficulties may require conversion to Laparotomy

Anti-fertility effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) seed in male Wistar rats

The study aimed to investigate the anti-fertility effect of fennel (Foeniculim vulgare Mill) seed extract in male rats. Material and Methods: Forty Wistar rats were divided into five equal groups. The control group received distilled water and the experimental groups were orally administered 1 ml of hydro-alcoholic extract of fennel seed in four doses of 35, 70, 140, and 280 mg/kg/b.w. daily for 60 days. After the last gavage, the rats were anaesthetised and the caudal part of the right epididymis was used for sperm counting. After fixation of the testes, microscopic sections were prepared and histological changes were evaluated. Results: The number of spermatogonia after doses of 140 and 280 mg/kg and Sertoli cells after a dose of 140 mg/kg decreased significantly as compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The number of primary spermatocytes and sperm count decreased significantly in the experimental groups (70, 140, and 280 mg/kg) when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, thickening of the basement membrane, cell apoptosis, and irregular arrangement of the germinal epithelium were observed in the experimental groups. Conclusion: Hydro-alcoholic fennel seed extract at these doses could reduce reproductivity and has anti-fertility activity in male rat