Thermodynamics and kinetics of silicon under conditions of strong electronic excitation

We present a detailed analysis of a recently-developed empirical potential to describe silicon under conditions of strong electronic excitation. The parameters of the potential are given as smooth functions of the electronic temperature T(e), with the dependence determined by fitting to finite-temperature density-functional theory calculations. We analyze the thermodynamics of this potential as a function of the electronic temperature T(e) and lattice temperature T(ion). The potential predicts phonon spectra in good agreement with finite-temperature density-functional theory, including the previously predicted lattice instability. We predict that the melting temperature T(m) decreases strongly as a function of T(e). Electronic excitation has a strong effect on the rate of crystallization from the melt. In particular, high T(e) results in very slow kinetics for growing crystal from the melt, due mainly to the fact that diamond becomes much less stable as T(e) increases. Finally, we explore annealing amorphous Si (a-Si) below T(m), and find that we cannot observe annealing of a-Si directly at high T(e). We hypothesize that this is also due to the decreased stability of the diamond structure at high T(e)

An empirical potential for silicon under conditions of strong electronic excitation

We present an empirical potential developed for silicon under conditions of strong electronic excitation. We show the essentially athermal nature of the melting transition when the electronic temperature is extremely high. The resulting liquid is shown to be distinct from ordinary liquid silicon. For less intense excitations, we determine the thermal melting temperature and demonstrate the possible existence of a regime where ordinary thermodynamic melting can occur but at a reduced temperature T(m). We show laser-induced softening of the lattice can lead to lattice cooling for very short time scales (similar to 100 fs), an effect never before recognized

Information and communication technology in disease surveillance, India: a case study

India has made appreciable progress and continues to demonstrate a strong commitment for establishing and operating a disease surveillance programme responsive to the requirements of the International Health Regulations (IHR[2005]). Within five years of its launch, India has effectively used modern information and communication technology for collection, storage, transmission and management of data related to disease surveillance and effective response. Terrestrial and/or satellite based linkages are being established within all states, districts, state-run medical colleges, infectious disease hospitals, and public health laboratories. This network enables speedy data transfer, video conferencing, training and e-learning for outbreaks and programme monitoring. A 24x7 call centre is in operation to receive disease alerts. To complement these efforts, a media scanning and verification cell functions to receive reports of early warning signals. During the 2009 H1N1 outbreak, the usefulness of the information and communication technology (ICT) network was well appreciated. India is using ICT as part of its Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP) to help overcome the challenges in further expansion in hard-to-reach populations, to increase the involvement of the private sector, and to increase the use of other modes of communication like e-mail and voicemail

Peer-to-Peer Networks and Computation: Current Trends and Future Perspectives

This research papers examines the state-of-the-art in the area of P2P networks/computation. It attempts to identify the challenges that confront the community of P2P researchers and developers, which need to be addressed before the potential of P2P-based systems, can be effectively realized beyond content distribution and file-sharing applications to build real-world, intelligent and commercial software systems. Future perspectives and some thoughts on the evolution of P2P-based systems are also provided

Plasma Frequency Reduction Factor

A simple formula for plasma frequency reduction factor for a solid cylindrical electron beam in a metallictunnel has been developed by means of a 3-D curve fitting to the standard results of Branch and Mihran withaccuracy > 1.7 per cent, over the parametric regime of normalised beam-radius and beam-filling factor applicablefor linear-beam microwave tubes.  An artificial neural network algorithm was used for the curve-fitting followingthe approach of universal approximation.  The formula is simple and amenable to easy computation, even usinga scientific calculator.Defence Science Journal, 2008, 58(6), pp.768-770, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.58.170

A Framework for Delineating the Emotive Character of Motorbikes in India

This paper proposes an approach to investigate the styling concept of motorbikes by establishing a relationship between its evaluative aesthetic properties and associated emotions. A framework is delineated in form of emotive words and representational image boards to map the emotive character of motorbikes. The framework forms the basis for investigating the emotional differentiation in the social structure of biking in India. The findings give insights on the emotive character of various motorbikes representing different emotional needs. The usability and efficacy of the framework was tested among styling designers and design students

Sums of matrix-valued wave packet frames in (L^2(ℝ^d,ℂ^{stimes r}))

The purpose of this paper is to first show relations between wave packet frame bounds and the scalars associated with finite sum of matrix-valued wave packet frames for the matrix-valued function space (L^2(ℝ^d, ℂ^{stimes r}). A sufficient condition with explicit wave packet frame bounds for finite sum of matrix-valued wave packet frames in terms of scalars and frame bounds associated with the finite sum of frames is given. An optimal estimate of wave packet frame bounds for the finite sum of matrix-valued wave packet frames is presented. In the second part, we show that the rate of convergence of the frame algorithm can be increased by using frame bounds and scalars associated with the finite sum of frames. Finally, a necessary and sufficient condition for finite sum of matrix-valued wave packet frames in terms of series associated with wave packet vectors is given

Impact of community-based presumptive chloroquine treatment of fever cases on malaria morbidity and mortality in a tribal area in Orissa State, India

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the Global Strategy for Malaria Control, one of the basic elements is early detection and prompt treatment of malaria cases, especially in areas where health care facilities are inadequate. Establishing or reviving the existing drug distribution centers (DDC) at the peripheral levels of health care can achieve this. The DDCs should be operationally feasible, acceptable by community and technical efficient, particularly in remote hard-core malaria endemic areas.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Volunteers from villages were selected for distribution of chloroquine and the selection was made either by villagers or head of the village. The services of the volunteers were absolutely free and voluntary in nature. Chloroquine was provided free of charge to all fever cases. The impact was evaluated based on the changes observed in fever days, fever incidence, parasite incidence and parasite prevalence (proportion of persons harbouring malaria parasite) in the community. Comparisons were made between 1st, 2nd and 3rd year of operation in the experimental villages and between the experimental and check areas.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 411 village volunteers in 378 villages in the experimental community health center with a population of 125,439 treated 88,575 fever cases with a mean annual incidence of 331.8 cases per 1,000 population during the three-year study period. The average morbid days due to fever (AFD) was reduced to 1.6 ± 0.1 from 5.9 ± 2.1 in the experimental villages while it remained at 5.0 ± 1.0 in the check villages. There was a significant reduction, (p < 0.05) in Annual Fever Incidence (AFI) in the experimental hilltop and foothill villages in comparison to check villages. The change in Annual Parasite Incidence (API) was, however, not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In plain villages that were low endemic, the reductions in AFI and API in experimental villages were statistically significant (p < 0.05). There was significant reduction in the parasite prevalence in high endemic villages of the experimental area both during 2^ndand 3^rdyear when compared with the check area (p < 0.05) but no such reduction was observed in low endemic areas (p > 0.0.5). Mortality due to malaria declined by 75% in the experimental villages in the adult age group whereas there was an increasing trend in check villages.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The study demonstrated that a passive chloroquine distribution system operated by village volunteers in tribal areas is feasible and effective in reducing malaria-related morbidity and mortality.</p