Meshless Analysis of Radio Frequency Microelectromechanical Systems Shunt Switch

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) have found applications in defence as well as in civilian sectors. Analysis of MEMS devices require complex 3-D meshes due to the presence of mechanical and electrostatic energy domains. On the other hand, meshless methods do not require the generation of mesh and perform the computational analysis by just sprinkling the points covering the domain. In this paper, meshless analysis of MEMS switches based on reproducing kernel particle method is reported. Numerical results for the static analysis of the switch are compared with the simulated results obtained using  INTELLISUITE MEMS CAD tool.Defence Science Journal, 2009, 59(6), pp.622-626, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.59.156

Challenges in the preservation of electronic information in digital era

Digital library is an increasingly wide range of digital resources from formally published e-journals, e-books through databases and datasets in many formats. The development of networked environment explores the challenges before the working library professional, archivist and information scientist to preserve the electronic information in the Digital era. Selected four major key areas ie. Internet, IPR, Security and Data format and discussed its present situation and barriers to preserve the electronic collection . Highlighted some important solutions pointed out by the Joint Information System Committee, UK . and National Digital Library Federation and Research Library Groups, Australia

BVRI CCD photometric standards in the field of GRB 990123

The CCD magnitudes in Johnson $BV$ and Cousins $RI$ photometric passbands are determined for 18 stars in the field of GRB 990123. These measurements can be used in carrying out precise CCD photometry of the optical transient of GRB 990123 using differential photometric techniques during non--photometric sky conditions. A comparison with previous photometry indicates that the present photmetry is more precise.Comment: Tex file, 5 pages with 1 figure. Bull. Astron. Society India, Vol. 27 (accepted

Validation of body fat measurement by skinfolds and two bioelectric impedance methods with DEXA - the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study [CURES-3]

Background and Objective: Although Asian Indians have been shown to have increased body fat compared to Europeans, there have been very few studies in Asian Indians validating the various methods available for body fat measurement. The aim of this study was to test the validity of body fat measured by two commercial impedance analyzers (leg-to-leg and hand-held) as well as by skinfolds with Dual Energy Xray Absorptiometry (DEXA) as the reference method in a population based study in southern India. Methods: Body fat percentage (BF%) was measured in 162 South Indian urban men (n=76) and women (n=86) randomly selected from the "Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study" (CURES), an ongoing population based study of a representative population of Chennai. The mean age of the subjects was 45.1 ± 9.0 years and the body mass index ranged from 16.4 - 34.4 kg/m2. Percentage body fat was measured using DEXA, segmental impedance (leg-to-leg: BF%IMP-LEG; and hand-held BF%IMP-HAND) using the manufacturer's software and skinfolds using the prediction equation from the literature (BF%SKFD). Results: Body fat (%) determined by the leg-to-leg method (BF%IMP-LEG 35.10 ± 7.26) and the skinfolds (BF%SKFD 35.77 ± 6.06) did not differ significantly from the reference method DEXA (BF%DEXA 35.82 ± 8.33), but the hand-held impedance method (BF%IMP-HAND 31.38 ±6.24) showed significant difference (p < 0.001). The bias for estimation of body fat (%) for the bioimpedance leg-to-leg, hand-held and skinfolds were 0.73 ± 5.70, 4.45 ± 4.83 and 0.06 ± 5.86 respectively. All the three methods showed a fairly good correlation with DEXA (BF%IMP-LEG : r = 0.741, p<0.001; BF%IMP-HAND : r = 0.817, p< 0.001; BF%SKFD : r = 0.710, p< 0.001). Conclusion: The study shows that in urban south Indians, measurement of body fat by the leg-to-leg impedance and the skinfold method have better agreement (lower bias) with DEXA than the hand-held impedance. However, all three methods (skinfolds, the leg-to-leg bioelectric impedance and hand-held impedance) show a fairly good correlation with DEXA

Clinical decision making: managing postprandial hyperglycemia

The primary objective of treating all patients with diabetes is to establish and maintain near-normal blood glucose levels to prevent microvascular and macrovascular complications. The glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is the accepted standard for monitoring overall glycemic control with treatments and management strategies traditionally targeting fasting and preprandial glucose levels. However, postprandial glucose levels also contribute to HbA1c, and optimization of glycemic control may also require targeting these values. Exaggerated postmeal glucose excursions are common in patients with diabetes, and postprandial hyperglycemia (PPHG) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Regular self-monitoring of blood glucose concentrations (SMBG) at appropriate times can detect PPHG, provide patient feedback regarding meals and lifestyle, and monitor response to therapy. SMBG can also help detect fluctuations in blood glucose levels, which may be an additional risk factor for complications, independent of HbA1c. New therapeutic options that specifically target postprandial glucose levels may improve overall glycemic control and reduce the risk of microvascular and macrovascular complications

Appendicitis in pregnancy: management

Background:Acute appendicitis is an infrequent, yet one of the commonest surgical emergency encountered in pregnancy. Recorded incidence is about 1:1500 pregnancies. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors associated with prenatal outcome in acute appendicitis during second and third trimester pregnancies. Open access surgery was done due to non-availability of laparoscopy.Methods:A total of 10 pregnant women who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis between Jan 2011 to Jan 2013 were presented and 7 of them operated by open access surgery.Results: Seven pregnant women who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis were operated upon during late pregnancy. The interval between symptom onset and surgery was the only predictive variable. A longer interval between symptom onset and surgery was associated with appendix perforation than with no appendix perforation. There was a significant difference in the rate of preterm labor (5.1% vs. 1.3%) and the rate of fetal mortality (25% vs. 1.7%) between patients with and without a perforated appendix.Conclusion:Delaying surgery correlates to more advanced disease with an increased risk of perforation. This contributes to an increased risk of further complications, including premature labor or abortion, and to higher maternal complication rates. Prompt diagnosis may improve the prenatal outcome.

Coral reef research in India: A Bibliometric analysis (Part-I)

Part-I of this paper attemps to evaluate the coral reef research in India using Bibliographic tools for the period 1900-2000. The data has been extracted from "Bibliography on Indian coral reefs". It highlights research productivity by subjects, domains, institutions (Research and Academic) etc. The study examines authorship pattern, productivity on individual scientists and also identified the various countries - participation. It analyzes the forms of communication, journals productivity and identified criteria for selection of the core journals for library. Suggested to create a database on coral reefs and to develop marine science at national level that would facilitate easy use of all categories of people

GRB000301C with peculiar afterglow emission

The CCD magnitudes in Johnson V and Cousins R and I photometric passbands are determined for GRB 000301C afterglow starting ~ 1.5 day after the gamma-ray burst. In fact we provide the earliest optical observations for this burst. Light curves of the afterglow emissions in U, B, V, R, I, J and K' passbands are obtained by combining the present measurements with the published data. Flux decay shows a very uncommon variation relative to other well observed GRBs. Overall, there is a steepening of the optical and near-infrared flux decay caused by a geometric and sideways expanding jet. This is superimposed by a short term variability especially during early time (Delta t < 8 days). The cause of variability is not well understood, though it has occurred simultaneously with similar amplitude in all the filters. We derive the early and late time flux decay constants using jet model. The late time flux decay is the steepest amongst the GRB OTs observed so far with alpha ~ 3. Steepening in the flux decay seems to have started simultaneously around Delta t ~ 7.6 day in all passbands. The value of spectral index in the optical-near IR region is ~ -1.0. Redshift determination with z=2.0335 indicates cosmological origin of the GRB having a luminosity distance of 16.6 Gpc. Thus it becomes the second farthest amongst the GRBs with known distances. An indirect estimate of the fluence > 20 keV indicates, if isotropic,> =10^53 ergs of release of energy. The enormous amount of released energy will be reduced, if the radiation is beamed which is the case for this event. Using a jet break time of 7.6 days, we infer a jet opening angle of ~ 0.15 radian. This means the energy released is reduced by a factor of ~ 90 relative to the isotropic value.Comment: LaTeX file, 11 pages including 4 figures, uses psfig.sty, Bull. Astron. Society of India(accepted, Sept, 2000 issue

E-learning: A new way of Library and Information Science Education through Distance Mode

This study explored that the e-learning mechanism is required to provide for quality of Library and Information Science education at university level through the distance learning. This paper is divided into three sections. The first section deals with the LIS education in distance mode. Second section examines the developments of E-learning and LIS education in India. Third Section spells out the universities are forced to face the following major challenges to adopt e-learning mechanisms, which are to design LIS programmes to fit into the e-learning environment, to provide quality education, the teachers aswellas students are to be trained the information technology advancement, to enhance LIS education e-learning consortium, collaboration, quality assurance with accreditation and cost effective were discussed in details to strengthening the LIS education