Design and Optimization of Aircraft Configuration for Minimum Drag

This paper presents a reliable and robust optimization for minimum drag of an aircraft at the conceptual design phase. Firstly, the conceptual design code was developed and existing Single Seat Aerobatic (SSA) aircraft was chosen to validate the reliability of developed code. The resulted data from the developed code showed good agreement with the existing data. Secondly, Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP) optimizer was created and employed as a tool to explore possible aircraft configurations that are more efficient and less costly than an existing design. The optimized results gave lower Drag and better performance

A mixed methods evaluation of Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO) and Basic Life Support in Obstetrics (BLSO) in a resource-limited setting on the Thailand-Myanmar border [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]

Background: Short emergency obstetric care (EmOC) courses have demonstrated improved provider confidence, knowledge and skills but impact on indicators such as maternal mortality and stillbirth is less substantial. This manuscript evaluates Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO) and Basic Life Support (BLSO) as an adult education tool, in a protracted, post-conflict and resource-limited setting. Methods: A mixed methods evaluation was used. Basic characteristics of ALSO and BLSO participants and their course results were summarized. Kirkpatrick’s framework for assessment of education effectiveness included: qualitative data on participants’ reactions to training (level 1); and quantitative health indicator data on change in the availability and quality of EmOC and in maternal and/or neonatal health outcomes (level 4), by evaluation of the post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) related maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and stillbirth rate in the eight years prior and following implementation of ALSO and BLSO. Results: 561 Thailand-Myanmar border health workers participated in ALSO (n=355) and BLSO (n=206) courses 2008-2020. Pass rates on skills exceeded 90% for both courses while 50% passed the written ALSO test. Perceived confidence significantly improved for all items assessed. In the eight-year block preceding the implementation of ALSO and BLSO (2000-07) the PPH related MMR per 100,000 live births was 57.0 (95%CI 30.06-108.3)(9/15797) compared to 25.4 (95%CI 11.6-55.4)(6/23620) eight years following (2009-16), p=0.109. After adjustment, PPH related maternal mortality was associated with birth before ALSO/BLSO implementation aOR 3.825 (95%CI 1.1233-11.870), migrant (not refugee) status aOR 3.814 (95%CI 1.241-11.718) and attending ≤four antenatal consultations aOR 3.648 (95%CI 1.189-11.191). Stillbirth rate per 1,000 total births was 18.2 (95%CI 16.2-20.4)(291/16016) before the courses, and 11.1 (95%CI 9.8-12.5)(264/23884) after, p=0.038. Birth before ALSO/ BLSO implementation was associated with stillbirth aoR 1.235 (95%CI 1.018-1.500). Conclusions: This evaluation suggests ALSO and BLSO are sustainable, beneficial, EmOC trainings for adult education in protracted, post-conflict, resource-limited settings

FYP examiner allocation system improvement

In Nanyang Technological University, all the students from School of Computer Science and Engineering are required to take the Final Year Project (FYP) to fulfill the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Computer Science. Therefore, the students’ FYP must be examined and assessed by the staffs for examination purpose. The allocation of examiners to grade the students is needed and it is done by the FYP Examiner Allocation (FEA) system. The current Final Year Project Examiner Allocation System (FEA) was built in 2007 which is about ten years old. There are many limitations in this system whose features are outdated which can be difficult to use in the future. In order to overcome the problems, an improved FEA system was implemented. The improved FEA system is the current FEA system with improved features. However, there are still issues and limitations in the improved FEA system. Therefore, this project, FYP Examiner Allocation System Improvement (SCE16-0217) is to develop and improve a new FEA system which has upgraded components and features to remove limitations of the current system. A new system is to replace the current system which shall be user-friendly, highly modular and compactible to adapt the changes in a dynamic environment of the future. As an improvement, the new system is developed for part-time students too.Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Engineering

Architectural aspects of temples in Myanmar : an appreciation of spatial composition

Das hohe Wirtschaftswachstum vieler asiatischer Länder findet seine Entsprechung in der gebauten Umwelt. Allerdings werden viele Gebäude in diesen Ländern unter Missachtung der kulturellen Wahrzeichen und des traditionellem Soziallebens gebaut. Das eigene traditionelle Erbe sollte besser verstanden und integriert werden in die sich entwickelten Wertesysteme. Traditionelle Werte können dabei einen festen Halt bieten und Identität stiften oder den Entwicklungsprozess und die Akzeptanz der damit verbundenen Werte behindern. Heutzutage sind südostasiatische Architekten dahingehend gefangen, zurechtzukommen mit dem raschen Wandel, die die Modernisierung der Gebäude mit sich bringt. Dabei versuchen sie, die Geschichte und Entwicklung traditionelle Architektur in den modernen heutigen Gebäuden wiederzuverwenden. Die Vorgänger der Architekturhistoriker und die Gelehrten in Myanmar hatten Interesse an den historischen Kunst- und Architekturhinterlassenschaften wie die der Burmesen, Pyu, Mo und Rakhine. Von Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts an haben Spezialisten aus verschiedenen Disziplinen Ihre Arbeit dem Studium der Architektur in Bagan und Mrauk-U gewidmet. Hundert Jahre später existieren immer noch viele Kontroversen und Meinungsverschiedenheiten um dieses Thema. Das zeigt, dass diese Region weiterhin erforscht werden muss. Die beiden Städte, Bagan und Mrauk-U zeigen, dass die traditionellen Gebäude monumentale Gedenkstätten in Raum und Form sind. Sie deklarieren traditionelle Architektur als Symbol des nationalen Charakters und des kulturellen Erbes. Die Stile der Gebäude spiegeln die Situationen des jeweiligen Zeitraums wider sowie den Geist der Bauherren, der zu jener Zeit beherrschend war in politischer, sozialer, kultureller und auch wirtschaftlicher Form. Es gilt zu überlegen, wie ein Ansatz aussehen könnte, um das heikle Unterfangen der Harmonisierung von Architekturtechnologien der Vergangenheit und Gegenwart in Einklang mit Zeit, Ort und Gegebenheiten zu bringen. Um eine Lösung für die Kooperation und Integration der Architektur in Myanmar zu finden. Die Verwendung der traditionellen Architektonischen Identität um eine neue moderne Architektur in der bebauten Umwelt zu schaffen, dient nicht nur dem Erhalt einer Traditionellen Identität sondern auch der Erfüllung der Bedürfnisse der Nutzer. Sind sie es doch die eng mit diesen Gebäuden verbunden sind. Durch die Untersuchung der Geschichte der Architektur in Pyu, Bagan und Mrauk-U und der Klassifikation der Tempel kann die Geschichte der Architektur von Myanmar verglichen werden besonders unter Einbeziehung der gegenwärtigen Tempel in Yangon. Diese Studie versucht, die alten Denkmäler hinsichtlich ihrer architektonischen Gesichtspunkte in Bezug auf geschichtliche, geografischen, soziale, wirtschaftliche, religiösen und klimatische Einflüsse zu untersuchen und die vorhandenen Werte in den Tempeln in Pyu, Bagan und Mrauk-U in Bezug zur Architektur zu setzten. Dies mit dem Ziel, zu verstehen wie sie die Identität eines gebauten Bildes in dieser gebauten Umwelt vermitteln konnten. Die Forschung hat auch das Ziel, ein besseres Verständnis der verschiedenen Einflüsse und Entwicklungen innerhalb der historischen Umgebung zu liefern. Des Weiteren versucht die Studie die Wiederentdeckung der Raumkomposition und Form der historischen Architektur. Zudem versucht die Studie einige Vorschläge und Empfehlungen zur Entwicklung von Konservierungsstrategien zu geben. Diese können leicht in den Städten, die mir als Fallstudien gedient haben, umgesetzt werden. Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie sind deshalb von grosser Bedeutung für die heutige Tempelarchitektur in Myanmar.Many countries in the Asian region which are now experiencing a high economic growth encounter in the built environment. A lot of buildings are being constructed in the region with a total disregard to our cultural landmark and traditional social life-style. Our traditional own heritage needs to be effectively understood and integrated into our evolving value system. Traditional values can either provide strength and identity or be obstructive to the development process and the acceptance of today’s more enlightened value. Today, in Southeast Asian countries, architects caught in the theories of rapid transformation and learning how to cope with the modernization that modern building techniques appear to produce. And they try to reuse that traditional architecture in modern present buildings from the architecture of the history and development through the periods. The forerunners of architectural historians and the pioneer scholars in Myanmar were interested in the art and architecture of the remains of the great historical traditions, such as the Burmese, Pyu, Mon and Rakhine. Starting from the beginning of 20th century, specialists of many disciplines dedicate their works to the study of architecture in Bagan and Mrauk-U from various aspects and now over one hundred years have been passed and yet many controversies and disagreements still exist, showing that research works are still needed about facts on this region. These two cities, Bagan and Mrauk-U explain that the traditional buildings are monumental memorials in space and form and provide the traditional architecture as the symbol of national character and cultural heritage. The styles of the buildings reflect the situation of each period and the mind of builders at that time politically, socially, culturally and economically. It has to consider emphatically how it is delicate to approach in accordance with time, place and condition as well as harmonization to architectural technology of past and present for the solving of the cooperation and integration of Myanmar architecture. Using traditional architectural identity to create a new contemporary architecture in the built environment is not only conserving the traditional architectural identity but also fulfilling the needs of the users as they have lived intimately in those buildings. By investigating that history of architecture in Pyu, Bagan and Mrauk-U and depending on the classification of the temples there, the reflection of the historic architecture of Myanmar can be compared and recommended with the present temples in Yangon. This study tries to observe the ancient monuments in architectural aspects based on historical background, geographical, social, economic, religious and climatic influences and seek the existing values in the temples in Pyu, Bagan and Mrauk-U in terms of architecture in order to understand how they became the identity of and built image in such a built environment. The research is also aimed to get a better understanding of the various influences and evolutions within the historic setting and tries to rediscover the historical architectural aspects in their form and spatial composition. Finally, this research will try to provide some recommendations and suggestions for developing conservation strategies, which can be implemented all in the selected case study cities. These forces are creating tension in such areas and thus are among other current important tasks of the architecture of the temples today

Inland Fisheries Habitat Management of Myanmar

Leasable fisheries operate in fisheries waters in which fishing rights are granted under a lease by Department of Fisheries (DoF) of Myanmar, subject to stipulations relating to the area, species, fishing implement, period, and fishing methods. There are 3729 leasable fisheries in Myanmar, most of which operate in inland waters. Recently, inland fisheries habitats had been gradually depleted due to siltation, extension of agriculture, as well as construction of roads, bridges and dams. In order to conserve the fisheries habitats and fish stocks, DoF has been conducting many activities in collaboration with leasable fisheries stakeholders. One of the leasable fisheries is Myaung leasable fisheries (Inn) situated at Bamaw Township in Kachin State of northern Myanmar. It is a demonstration site for other leasable fisheries and the leasable fisheries owner (lessee) emphasizes on maintaining the waterways that connect with the Ayeyawady River as well as removal of aquatic plants, such as water hyacinth and lotus from the waterways. The lessee has also been conducting culture-based capture system and capture-based culture system in his leasable fisheries area. A 12-acre pen had been built to rear indigenous species and commercially-cultured species. The fish outside the pen had been fed with rice bran and ground nut cake to grow. The local people depend on this fish for consumption in closed season (May, June, July) since this leasable fisheries has been practicing selected fishing and managed to maintain the fish production

Biomedical Applications of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles from Spirulina Platensis in Yae Khar Lake, Myanmar

The natural Spirulina Platensis is produced from the natural lake of Yae Khar lake in Myanmar. The aim of this poster is to apply biomedical application of Zinc Oxide nanoparticles from Spirulina platensis. Average crystallite size of zinc oxide nanoparticles from spirulina platensis was observed to be 17.74nm by using Debye Scherer equation with X ray Diffraction(XRD) instrument. It was found that zinc oxide nanoparticles can be used safely for the use of body lotion,face cream and nano balm because of the pH value and microbial testing (total plate count, yeast and mold count) of these products and they are under the acceptable level compared literature values

Understanding Carbon Storage Dynamics in Ayeyarwady Delta's Mangrove Ecosystem in Myanmar : Insights for Restoration Efforts

Mangroves are highly valued for their ecosystem services, providing a wide range of ecological, social, and economic benefits, including their role as carbon-rich ecosystems. Recent research suggests that preserving mangrove forests can offer a cost-effective strategy for mitigating CO2 emissions. However, extensive deforestation has placed mangrove ecosystems under severe global threats. Currently, the assessment of mangrove restoration outcomes, particularly regarding soil carbon stocks, is inadequate. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of restoration on soil organic carbon (SOC) in Shwe Thaung Yan, Ayeyarwady coastal region of Myanmar. The study aimed to quantify and compare carbon stocks in different soil layers, examine the carbon sequestration potential of various mangrove species, and evaluate the effectiveness of mangrove restoration efforts. Soil samples were collected in 2015 (pre-restoration) and 2021 (post-restoration) at various soil depths and analyzed for SOC concentration, organic matter content, and bulk density using the Loss on Ignition (LOI) procedure. Significant changes in soil properties were observed between 2015 and 2021, with higher SOC and carbon concentrations observed in 2021. The average soil carbon stocks in 2021 (1954.43 ± 33.24 Mg C ha−1) were approximately 2.7 times higher than the estimated carbon stocks in 2015 (732.26 ± 6.99 Mg C ha−1). Furthermore, the study revealed variations in SOC accumulation among different soil depths, with higher carbon stocks found in the upper soil layers. This study highlights the positive impact of mangrove restoration on SOC accumulation and emphasizes the significance of considering soil carbon dynamics in restoration initiatives. The findings offer valuable insights for the conservation and management of mangrove ecosystems, especially concerning their potential for carbon sequestration and their contribution to mitigating climate change.peerReviewe

Effect of Alternate Wetting and Drying on Crop Performance, Water Input and Water Productivity of Direct Wet-seeded Inbred and Hybrid Rice

The experiments were conducted to evaluate the yield performance of the inbred and hybrid rice varie-ties under alternate wetting and drying (AWD), to compare the water productivity of rice varieties under AWD condition and to investigate the water saving percent in different rice varieties under AWD. Two water regimes (alternate wetting and drying, AWD and continuous flooding, CF) in main plot and four varieties including two hybrid varieties (Long-9, Yezin Pale Thwe-3) and two inbred varieties (Yaenelo-4 , Yaenelo-1) in sub plot were laid out as split plot design with four replications. During the study peri-od, loam soil in DaikU Township and silty clay loam soil in Maubin Township were observed. The max-imum grain yield and yield components of tested varieties were 2.99 t ha-1 in DaikU and 5.76 t ha-1 in Maubin. The water productivities of AWD were not statistically different with CF but water saving were resulted under AWD in both DaikU and Maubin townships. Hybrid rice produced higher grain yield, yield components, morphological traits and water productivity than those of inbred rice in both townships. Grain yield and water productivity were not significantly different between AWD and CF. However, more water can save under AWD than CF and subsequently found that above 20 % of water saving for hybrid and above 30% for inbred during summer rice growing season in the study areas. Therefore, this study indicated that applied AWD irrigation maintained current yield and reduction of water input for Hybrid and Inbred rice varieties under the tested areas, DaikU and Maubin Townships