On 3D Minimal Massive Gravity

We study linearized equations of motion of the newly proposed three dimensional gravity, known as minimal massive gravity, using its metric formulation. We observe that the resultant linearized equations are exactly the same as that of TMG by making use of a redefinition of the parameters of the model. In particular the model admits logarithmic modes at the critical points. We also study several vacuum solutions of the model, specially at a certain limit where the contribution of Chern-Simons term vanishes.Comment: 15 pages, no figures, typos fixed, journal versio

Effects of Segmentation and Step Sampling on Apodized Fiber Bragg Grating

Practical implementation of apodized fiber Bragg grating results in approximation to the apodization profile. In this study, these profiles are simulated by sampling and segmentation. Segmenting an ideal profile is basically producing its corresponding piecewise linear profile. The number of segments varies with the error value, which is defined as the maximum absolute difference between the segmented profile and the ideal one. The relationship between the error and the number of segments is found to be one to many. To study the process normal and DWDM gratings have been considered. The quality of the fiber Bragg gratings was investigated through the maximum reflectivity, the SLSR, and the bandwidth of the normal gratings, the insertion loss, the bandwidth, and the crosstalk parameters for the DWDM gratings. Some of the results are wlexpected. Segmentation enhances the quality of the gratings for some error values. For example, side lobe suppression ratio for normal grating apodized with segmented profile is improved by around 5.8dB at error of 0.015 compared to the grating apodized with smooth function. An enhancement of 0.5% on the maximum reflectivity is also achieved for these normal gratings. For DWDM gratings the insertion loss is decreased by an amount of 0.002dB and the adjacent crosstalk is improved by an amount of around 2.5dB for some approximated Cosine apodization profile. The study was also done to investigate the sampling effect. Sampling rate was varied for a fixed value of the maximum error. The study showed a good grating quality over a wide range of sampling. This would have an impact of relaxing the practical implementation of such process. In order to explain the results obtained, a criteria was formulated. This is based on the integration of error function. This criterion was instrumental in explaining the results

Perspective and Prospects of Commencing New Education Policy (NEP) of Pakistan: A Review of Conference.

This article focuses on four important factors: Assessment, Curriculum and Text Books’ Policy, Teachers for quality education and Education and management, as formulated by Education and Literacy Department of Sindh Government. Open poll discussions and views given by educationists and experts were taken. All the views have been summarized for consideration by all concerned. Chief Minister Sindh, Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Javed Hussain, Education Minister, Hamida Khoro and Education Secretary to Government of Sindh, Ghulam Ali Pasha also shared their opinions on the new Education Policy and Government’s intention to ensure quality education in Sindh Province. The purpose of this article is to review and summarize the views presented in the Education Conference and reach fruitful conclusions. The implications are also made keeping in mind the targets of New Millennium Development Goals (NMDGs).Assessment, Curriculum and Text Book Policy, Education and Management, Literacy

Severe respiratory distress in term infants born electively at high altitude

BACKGROUND: We studied the contribution of elective delivery to severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in term babies born at high altitude. METHODS: We prospectively studied the charts of term babies born in Taif Maternity Hospital (1640 m above sea level) between 1/1/2004 and 31/10/2004 who developed RDS and required mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: 8634 deliveries occurred from 37–<41 weeks; 13 (0.15%) had RDS requiring mechanical ventilation. Seven infants delivered at 37–<38 weeks, (OR for RDS = 26 95%CI -4.6 to 5.8), five delivered at 38–<39 weeks, (OR for RDS = 10 95%CI -4.9 to 5.4) and one delivered at >39 weeks. Six of 13 infants were electively delivered without documented lung maturity. CONCLUSION: Infants born at 37 and 38 weeks' gestation remain at significantly increased risk for severe RDS. Elective delivery is responsible for 50% of the potentially avoidable cases. Our data suggest that the altitude does not seem to influence the incidence of severe RDS in term infants born electively