A Novel Algorithm Based on LoRa Technology for Open-Field and Protected Agriculture Smart Irrigation System

A novel algorithm for smart irrigation system adaptable for both open-field and protected agriculture based on LoRa technology is proposed in this paper. The algorithm suits a networked architecture, in which a central controller is communicating with distributed units of sensors and actuators. Communication within the system units use LoRa devices, where a LoRa is an IoT based technology providing low-power and long-range radio connectivity. Within an agricultural farm, the system can be configured such that it can suit the control of environmental conditions applicable for either an open-field and/or a protected (e.g. greenhouse) agricultures. A database has been developed and designed to comply with the system architecture. The collected data is analyzed and used by the system for automatically adjusting itself to an optimal or semi-optimal performance. At the central control, the user interface offer system monitoring capability, statistics, as well as report generation

Tumour grading and discrimination based on class assignment and quantitative texture analysis techniques

Medical imaging represents the utilisation of technology in biology for the purpose of noninvasively revealing the internal structure of the organs of the human body. It is a way to improve the quality of the patient's life through a more precise and rapid diagnosis, and with limited side-effects, leading to an effective overall treatment procedure. The main objective of this thesis is to propose novel tumour discrimination techniques that cover both micro and macro-scale textures encountered in computed tomography (CI') and digital microscopy (DM) modalities, respectively. Image texture can provide significant information on the (ab)normality of tissue, and this thesis expands this idea to tumour texture grading and classification. The fractal dimension (FO) as a texture measure was applied to contrast enhanced CT lung tumour images in an aim to improve tumour grading accuracy from conventional CI' modality, and quantitative performance analysis showed an accuracy of 83.30% in distinguishing between advanced (aggressive) and early stage (non-aggressive) malignant tumours. A different approach was adopted for subtype discrimination of brain tumour OM images via a set of statistical and model-based texture analysis algorithms. The combined Gaussian Markov random field and run-length matrix texture measures outperformed all other combinations, achieving an overall class assignment classification accuracy of 92.50%. Also two new histopathological multi resolution approaches based on applying the FO as the best bases selection for discrete wavelet packet transform, and when fused with the Gabor filters' energy output improved the accuracy to 91.25% and 95.00%, respectively. While noise is quite common in all medical imaging modalities, the impact of noise on the applied texture measures was assessed as well. The developed lung and brain texture analysis techniques can improve the physician's ability to detect and analyse pathologies leading for a more reliable diagnosis and treatment of disease

TRENDS OF ADMISSIONS OF CONVERSION DISORDER IN MOSUL IRAQ

Aims: Our study aims to make inferences from inpatient admission of conversion disorder with regards it’s age and sex distribution, clinical presentation, yearly distribution of admission and morbidity of conversion disorder in comparison to total psychiatric admissions. It also compares it’s results with those of pervious studies in this country, neighbouring countries and western studies. Methods: A case notes review was done for admissions of this disorder for five years in Mosul University Hospital. The data were inputted into SPSS programme and analysed. The statistical analysis was by t-test, Anova and regression. Results: Two hundred seventy five patients were admitted during the period; 224 women and 51 men. The majority of men came from Urban areas compared to 58% of women. Single status wase over represented; 59% compared to 34% married. Women formed 82% of the singles, 90% of the widows and 83% of the divorced. Pseudo-fits was the most frequent diagnosis. There was no significant change in the number of yearly admissions apart from the first year. The proportion of conversion disorders compared to total psychiatric disorders admissions was 7.4%. Impications: Results were consistent with national studies but showed higher figures than neighbouring countries. What was interesting was that, results were consistent with figures in United Kingdom before 1950

Comprehensive Review on the Flexure Behaviour of Corroded Reinforcement Concrete Beams Under Sustained Loads

This study presents a comprehensive review of the flexural behaviour of corroded Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams subjected to sustained loads. The investigation synthesizes extant literature to elucidate the complex interaction between concurrent stress and steel corrosion in RC members. Emphasis is placed on the critical necessity of conducting corrosion tests under continuous stress conditions to accurately simulate in-situ structural behaviour. The review encompasses previous numerical studies on deteriorated RC beam performance and provides a critical analysis of historical loading regimes designed to mitigate corrosion in loaded RC beams. Notably, the literature reveals conflicting findings regarding the influence of loading on corrosion rates and crack propagation, highlighting areas necessitating further research. The review also considers the effects of creep, shrinkage, and stress, with particular emphasis on long-term deflection characteristics. This comprehensive analysis aims to consolidate current knowledge and identify critical research gaps in understanding the flexural behaviour of corroded RC beams under sustained loads, thereby providing a foundation for future investigations in this domain

PSYCHIATRIC MANIFESTATION OF PATIENTS WITH BRONCHIAL ASTHMA IN MOSUL, IRAQ

Aims and methods: To identify risk factors and psychiatric morbidity in bronchial Asthma. Patients who consented to participate in the study, were checked for bronchial asthma. They were interviewed and their sociodemographic data were recorded, the hospital anxiety and depression was administered. Results were inputted in a computer programme and software statistical programme Minitab version 14.1 was utilised to analyse these data. Results: It showed statistically significant correlation between age, duration of asthma and HAD score. Implications: Psychiatric morbidity is a neglected area in the management and care of physical illnesses, especially, bronchial asthma, where patients may get very worried and scared during acute attacks when they feel that they may suffocate. Assessing and managing the psychiatric morbidity of such patients will be reflected on the outcome of the illness and improve the quality of life of such patients

PSYCHIATRIC MANIFESTATION OF PATIENTS WITH EPILEPSY IN MOSUL, IRAQ

Background: It has been proven that physical morbidity is related to psychiatric illness. Some physical illnesses are more related to psychiatric morbidity compared to others. Epilepsy is considered one of them, as patients who suffer from epilepsy has disturbances of consciousness and this leads to a variety of psychological disturbance in addition to the psychological and social impact of the illness. Aims: To identify risk factors and psychiatric morbidity in epilepsy, in order to try to manage it and improve outcome of this illness and enhance quality of life. Methods: Patients who were referred to the department of Neurology at Mosul Teaching hospital from primary care centres between October 2012 and February 2013 and consented to participate in the study, were checked and if they fulfilled the criteria for the diagnosis of epilepsy, they were interviewed and their sociodemographic data were recorded, the hospital anxiety and depression questionnaire (HAD) was administered. Results were input in a computer programme and software statistical programme Minitab version 14.1 was utilised to analyse these data. Results: The whole sample was 100 patients. 55 females and 45 males were included. Mean age was 30 years. Mean duration of illness was 5.5 years. Mean HAD score was 17. Male patients were a little bit older but there was no statistically significant difference compared to females and they both scored similar HAD score. There was no difference between urban and rural population with regards to HAD score. The results showed statistically significant correlation between age and duration of the illness and HAD score. Discussion: The present study showed that there is a correlation between epilepsy and psychiatric morbidity. It has confirmed that females are more affected compared to males, which is expected as compared to the general population. It has also confirmed that psychiatric morbidity is positively related to epilepsy as it showed that the duration of illness has increased the psychiatric morbidity. Conclusion: Psychiatric morbidity is a neglected area in the management and care of physical illnesses, especially, epilepsy, where patients may get stigmatised and traumatised in the society. They may live in constant fear of having a fit. Assessing and managing the psychiatric morbidity of such patients will be reflected on the outcome of the illness and improve the quality of life of patients

Systematic development of an autonomous robotic car for fire-fighting based on the interactive design approach

Fire incidences are classed as catastrophic events, which mean that persons may experience mental distress and trauma. The development of a robotic vehicle specifically designed for fire extinguishing purposes has significant implications, as it not only addresses the issue of fire but also aims to safeguard human lives and minimize the extent of damage caused by indoor fire occurrences. The primary goal of the AFRC is to undergo a metamorphosis, allowing it to operate autonomously as a specialized support vehicle designed exclusively for the task of identifying and extinguishing fires. Researchers have undertaken the tasks of constructing an autonomous vehicle with robotic capabilities, devising a universal algorithm to be employed in the robotic firefighting process, and designing a fuzzy controller algorithm that can be used in all expected scenarios. The use of a fuzzy logic algorithm in this design demonstrates the usefulness of this system, all factors are involved in which cases are previously identified and taught, as well as the overall map of the premises have been uploaded so that the system can identify the exact place of the fire source, and two types of fire have also been examined. When the performance of the foam pump, water pump, and robotic car motors is compared to the data from the flam sensor, temperature sensor and GPS data, it demonstrates a high responsiveness in terms of applying the appropriate approach based on the type of fire due to the probable action for which the system has been trained. This will have the benefit of shortening the required process for fire extinguishment and using the appropriate fire extinguishing tools. This technology may be used to put out flames, deploy in different areas, and handle a variety of fire scenarios inside building