A Dynamical Systems Analysis of Movement Coordination Models

In this thesis, we present a dynamical systems analysis of models of movement coordination, namely the Haken-Kelso-Bunz (HKB) model and the Jirsa-Kelso excitator (JKE). The dynamical properties of the models that can describe various phenomena in discrete and rhythmic movements have been explored in the models' parameter space. The dynamics of amplitude-phase approximation of the single HKB oscillator has been investigated. Furthermore, an approximated version of the scaled JKE system has been proposed and analysed. The canard phenomena in the JKE system has been analysed. A combination of slow-fast analysis, projection onto the Poincare sphere and blow-up method has been suggested to explain the dynamical mechanisms organising the canard cycles in JKE system, which have been shown to have different properties comparing to the classical canards known for the equivalent FitzHugh-Nagumo (FHN) model. Different approaches to de fining the maximal canard periodic solution have been presented and compared. The model of two HKB oscillators coupled by a neurologically motivated function, involving the effect of time-delay and weighted self- and mutual-feedback, has been analysed. The periodic regimes of the model have been shown to capture well the frequency-induced drop of oscillation amplitude and loss of anti-phase stability that have been experimentally observed in many rhythmic movements and by which the development of the HKB model has been inspired. The model has also been demonstrated to support a dynamic regime of stationary bistability with the absence of periodic regimes that can be used to describe discrete movement behaviours.This work was supported by The Higher Committee For Education Development in Iraq (HCED) and the University of Mosul

Call for Vigilance – Red Flags in Systemic Lupus Erythematous

Systemic Lupus Erythematous(SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease. It has been identified as the underlying cause for death for an average 1,034 deaths from 2000 and 2014. Our cases highlight two rare but life threatening complications of SLE; Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) and Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) with mortality as high as 50-90%. Both cases presenting with respiratory symptoms, required meticulous monitoring in ICU and initially treated with broad spectrum antibiotics However, unlike pneumonia these patients required immunosuppressive and plasmapheresis leading to clinical improvement

Federated Learning for Iot/Edge/Fog Computing Systems

With the help of a new architecture called Edge/Fog (E/F) computing, cloud computing services can now be extended nearer to data generator devices. E/F computing in combination with Deep Learning (DL) is a promisedtechnique that is vastly applied in numerous fields. To train their models, data producers in conventional DL architectures with E/F computing enable them to repeatedly transmit and communicate data with third-party servers, like Edge/Fog or cloud servers. Due to the extensive bandwidth needs, legal issues, and privacy risks, this architecture is frequently impractical. Through a centralized server, the models can be co-trained by FL through distributed clients, including cars, hospitals, and mobile phones, while preserving data localization. As it facilitates group learning and model optimization, FL can therefore be seen as a motivating element in the E/F computing paradigm. Although FL applications in E/F computing environments have been considered in previous studies, FL execution and hurdles in the E/F computing framework have not been thoroughly covered. In order to identify advanced solutions, this chapter will provide a review of the application of FL in E/F computing systems. We think that by doing this chapter, researchers will learn more about how E/F computing and FL enable related concepts and technologies. Some case studies about the implementation of federated learning in E/F computing are being investigated. The open issues and future research directions are introduced.Comment: 21 pages, 4 figures, Book chapte

Edge Computing for IoT

Over the past few years, The idea of edge computing has seen substantial expansion in both academic and industrial circles. This computing approach has garnered attention due to its integrating role in advancing various state-of-the-art technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT) , 5G, artificial intelligence, and augmented reality. In this chapter, we introduce computing paradigms for IoT, offering an overview of the current cutting-edge computing approaches that can be used with IoT. Furthermore, we go deeper into edge computing paradigms, specifically focusing on cloudlet and mobile edge computing. After that, we investigate the architecture of edge computing-based IoT, its advantages, and the technologies that make Edge computing-based IoT possible, including artificial intelligence and lightweight virtualization. Additionally, we review real-life case studies of how edge computing is applied in IoT-based Intelligent Systems, including areas like healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, and transportation. Finally, we discuss current research obstacles and outline potential future directions for further investigation in this domain.Comment: 19 pages, 5 figures, Book Chapter In: Donta, P.K., Hazra, A., Lov\'en, L. (eds) Learning Techniques for the Internet of Things. Springer, Cha

The Concept of Death in Mamdouh Udwan's Anthology"A Jump in the Air"

  This piece of research examines the concept of death in MamdouhUdwan's final poetical anthology "A Jump in the Air", and manifests that this concept is attractive since it appears in a large number of poems that exceeds its appearance in his early works. It concludes with the poet's chronic suffering from disease, and his parallesitic feeling of helplessness, faint, and the ominous death that altogether underlies such a phenomenon. It is feasible to observe two forms of the death image: first, that death is a mere inevitable end that is unescapable—thus the poet relinquishes with no objection, second, that death is a mere transformation—and this is an insight that visualizes the understanding of those who believe in the transference of the soul from one human being into another up until it purges and ascends to where is initially descended form. Vying for crystallization, this paper presents supportive appropriate poetical proofs in addition to a few philosophers' viewpoints as well as it endeavours to analyze and scrutinize them quite precisely

The Impact of Substance Misuse Disorder on Psychosocial Aspects of Patients’ Lives

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the psychosocial impact of substance use/abuse on participants psychosocial life.Methodology: The study was employed descriptive explanatory design with purposive sampling was used, and 181 male participants were recruited at the Al-Amal Hospital in Jeddah. The psychosocial life aspect of patient life was assessed by using a validated scale Results: Data were analyzed by the SPSS-23. The most commonly used substances were amphetamines, alcohol and marijuana. The greatest effect of substance use was on self-esteem, followed by anxiety, depression, hostility and risk taking. Interestingly, group one (alcohol) and group three (amphetamine) showed the highest psychosocial influence. Conclusions: Substance use/abuse significantly affected psychosocial aspects, especially self-esteem and depression

Betel nut use and hyperglycemia

Betel nut chewing previously has not been common in North America, yet it is the fourth major source of addiction and abuse worldwide. Approximately 700 million individuals, or 10 % of the global population, chew beetle nut on regular basis. It is important for patient safety and improved quality to recognize its use in uncontrolled diabetes. Our case is of a 49 year-old Burmese female with PMH of DM2, HTN, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) who presented with a complaint of dizziness. Patient denied alcohol or tobacco use, but reported a 20-year history of betel nut chewing (4-5 times/day). Physical exam showed oral mucosa was dry with poor dentition along with eroded enamel and gums. Point-of-care glucose was extremely elevated at 522 mg/dL with HbA1c of 10.8%. Dix-Hallpike maneuver was negative and CTA of the head and neck was unremarkable. Neurology was also consulted regarding her dizziness, and MRI head demonstrated no acute infarct or hemorrhage. Throughout admission, patient’s point of care glucose fluctuated between 91 and 316 (mg/dL), with several daily spikes. Her dizziness improved by day 2 of hospitalization. At the time of discharge, her glucose was controlled on 50 units of glargine at nighttime along with 8 units of insulin at meals. After a negative initial workup for occult causes of dizziness, it was concluded that her 20-year history of betel nut chewing contributed to dizziness and hyperglycemia. Multiple studies show high risk of diabetes, increased likelihood of coronary artery disease and all-cause mortality in betel nut users. Specifically, one study in Taiwan demonstrated increasing incidence ratios of type II diabetes with increasing age. Conclusion: 1.4 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year. It is the seventh leading cause of death in US, and costs $69 billion in reduced productivity. Prevention and tight glycemic control remain the core of diabetes management. With an increasing Indian and South Asian immigrant population, physicians need to be aware of potential harmful effects of betel nut to improve quality of care. Screening for betel nut use should be a routine part of social history in susceptible populations. Counseling should be provided to educate patients about its harmful effects, and cessation should be encouraged

A radiotracer study of the adsorption behavior of aqueous Ba2+ ions on nanoparticles of zero-valent iron

Recently, iron nanoparticles are increasingly being tested as adsorbents for various types of organic and inorganic pollutants. In this study, nanoparticles of zero-valent iron (NZVI) synthesized under atmospheric conditions were employed for the removal of Ba2+ ions in a concentration range 10-3 to 10-6 M. Throughout the study, 133Ba was used as a tracer to study the effects of time, concentration, and temperature. The obtained data was analyzed using various kinetic models and adsorption isotherms. Pseudo-second-order kinetics and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm model provided the best correlation with the obtained data. Observed thermodynamic parameters showed that the process is exothermic and hence enthalpy-driven.2006 İYTE 1

ToF-SIMS depth profiling analysis of the uptake of Ba2+ and Co2+ ions by natural kaolinite clay

The sorption behavior of Ba2+ and Co2+ ions on a natural clay sample rich in kaolinite was studied using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). Depth profiling at 10-Å steps was performed up to a 70-Å matrix depth of the clay prior to and following sorption. The results showed that Co2+ is sorbed in slightly larger quantities than Ba2+, with significant numbers of ions fixed on the outermost surface of the clay. Depletion of the ions K+, Mg 2+, and Ca2+ from the clay lattice was observed to accompany enrichment with Co2+ and Ba2+ ions. The data obtained using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated insignificant structural and morphological changes in the lattice of the clay upon sorption of both Ba2+ and Co2+ ions. Analysis using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) showed that the average atomic percentage (±S.D.) of Ba and Co on kaolinite surface were 0.49±0.11 and 0.61±0.19, respectively, indicating a limited uptake capacity of natural kaolinite for both ions

Peer-assisted learning (PAL): An innovation aimed at engaged learning for undergraduate medical students

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Peer Assisted Learning in teaching at undergraduate level and to assess its effects on Peer Leaders and Peer Learners.Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Aga Khan University, Karachi, from May to October 2017, and comprised Peer Learners who were trained by faculty members in workshops and pre-run of experiments. Students were divided into two groups; Group A had Peer Learners taught by Peer Leaders, and Group B had those taught by trained lab technologists. Knowledge of the groups was assessed by a quiz using Kahoot. Post-session feedback questionnaires were also filled by the participants. Data was analysed using SPSS 23.Results: There were 10 Peer Leaders with a mean age of 19.5±0.85 years, and 62 Peer Learners with a mean age of 19.08±0.81 years. Among the learners, there were 35(56.5%) males and 27(43.5%) females. Post-session assessment showed a significant difference in the test performance by the two groups (p\u3c0.05). Feedback indicated that the learners found Peer Leaders more accessible than lab staff, leading to enhanced understanding of the subject.Conclusions: Peer-Assisted Learning was found to promote learning by creating an informal student-friendly learning environment