Experimental and Sensitivity Analysis of DMASP Cantilever Vibration Behavior Based on MCS Theory in the Moist Environment

A Micro-cantilever (MC) and a probe are two main components of the atomic force microscope (AFM). The dimensions of these components are in micro scales while their oscillation amplitude is on a nanometer scale. The present study intended to not only increase the accuracy of the simulation with regard to geometric discontinuities based on the Timoshenko Beam Model using the modified couple stress (MCS) theory but also increase the accuracy of the prediction of a system behavior by considering the effect hysteresis effect into the system vibration equations based on Bouc-Wen Model. Due to the lack of the experimental results for this kind of MCs, this paper is focused on the both experiment and simulation results by utilizing the DMASP micro cantilever. The vibration equations have been discretized based on the differential quadrature (DQ) model and solved using the Newmark algorithm and Laplace transforms in the free and forced vibration modes of AFM piezoelectric MC. The roughness of the surfaces affects the MC vibration behavior in the air medium. Therefore, surface roughness affecting van der Waals force has been considered in the air medium. Furthermore, the simulation results were compared with experimental results by performing experimental tests in the air medium with different moisture content. The experimental tests performed in the free vibration mode included frequency and time response and the forced mode sample surface topography and its effect on the MC vibration amplitude during the sample surface topography in different vibration modes. Moreover, the speed of equation solving was accelerated by performing sensitivity analysis based on the EFAST method as well as investigating the coupling effect of geometric and enforcement parameters on the amplitude and frequency of the MC and eliminating less effective parameters. The comparison of experimental results with theoretical results is indicative of the accuracy of MCS theory in the simulation

The "water-specific PPP risk model"

Risk assessment is one of the key success factors of public-private partnerships (PPP) water projects. Factors such as utility condition problems, unsustainable increase in water supply requirements, socio-technical issues and changes in government policies can cause such capital-intensive projects to overrun planned budget and schedule allocations. Where the project is a commercial asset, delayed completion time and cost overruns usually have significant impact on the profitability of the project as well as the estimated returns on investment over the operational phase of the project. Understanding the specific risks involved in PPP water projects can be very crucial in designing containment measures to deal with their likely impact on the projects. Through the combination of review of literature and questionnaires, different risk elements in PPP water projects were first identified. The identified elements were then rated and prioritized using the Analytical Network Process (ANP) to demonstrate the complex interactions among those risks and to establish the most salient Value-for-Money (VFM) variables on PPP water projects. The outcome of this research is an innovative ANP-based model known as the “Water-Specific PPP Risk Model” that offers a platform to incorporate tangible and intangible risk variables into a risk assessment process in water infrastructure projects

Women NGO coalitions in Egypt post January 25, 2011: prerequisites for enhanced effectiveness

In the aftermath of the revolution of the 25th of January, 2011, the Egyptian women\u27s movement has witnessed changes. The changes offered opportunities and challenges, yet with two (2) years after the revolution, the challenges continue to outweigh the opportunities. In spite of having had a newly formed parliament, the naming of a newly elected president from the conservative wing, and the coding of a new constitution, all of which held the slogan of “freedom, dignity, and social justice, 48% of the population; Egyptian women, lack clearly recognized rights in the current legal framework, their previously gained rights prior to 2011 may be compromised, and there is enough evidence that signals a perceived risk of a possible backlash on the women\u27s agenda. Among the indicators that support this interpretation, is the fact that the national women\u27s machinery, which is mandated to advocate for increased women\u27s rights, is being challenged by state and none state actors. In response, women NGO coalitions and networks were formed to confront threats to women\u27s human rights. There is a dearth of information about women NGO coalitions and networks in Egypt. Only one study in the literature studied three (3) Egyptian NGO Coalitions, taking in to account the data had been collected prior to the revolution. This research is intended to fill this gap in the literature and contribute to the documentation of the history of the Egyptian women’s movement. A literature review was conducted, followed by thirty (30) semi-structured interviews with gender experts and Egyptian women\u27s activists. The researcher was also a participant observer at the 57th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), based on which a case study was developed to study how the different actors attempted to influence the international policy agenda with regard to violence against women. The social and cultural, political, economic, and legal contexts for Egyptian women were studied to serve as the foundation of the data analysis upon completion of the data collection. A mapping of the previous and new actors in the external environment of the women\u27s movement was conducted to support the data analysis. The findings of the study suggest that the new networks and initiatives have a higher potential to become strong coalitions, if compared to large Egyptian NGO coalitions. Advocacy techniques need to take a new shape to better influence public policies for women. The actors need to engage in networking and not networks, new partnerships should be built, and the coalition\u27s constituencies should be widened for enhanced effectiveness. Last, but not least, there is a high need of more evidence based and scientific research, which coalitions should use in framing their messages. The study is concluded by a set of policy recommendations to guide the way forward for Egyptian women