Design of a Figure-8 Spherical Motion Flapping Wing for Miniature UAV\u27s

Hummingbirds and some insects exhibit a Figure-8 motion, which allows them to undergo variety of maneuvers including hovering. It is therefore desirable to have flapping wing miniature air vehicles (FWMAV) that can replicate this unique wing motion. In this research, a design of a flapping wing for FWMAV that can mimic Figure-8 motion using a spherical four bar mechanism is presented. To produce Figure-8 motion, the wing is attached to the coupler point of the spherical four bar mechanism and driven by a DC servo motor. For verification of the design, a prototype of the wing and mechanism is fabricated to determine whether the design objectives are met. Additionally, experimental testing is conducted to determine the feasibility of this design with the wing driven at speeds ranging from 2.5 to 12.25 Hz. To determine the aerodynamic coefficients the wing experiences during the Figure-8 cycle, wind tunnel experimentation is conducted. The results show good correlation between the model and experimental testing

New Connection Details for Concrete Filled Tubes to Precast Concrete Elements for Accelerated Bridge Construction Applications

The synergistic interaction of steel and concrete in concrete filled tube (CFT) composite members improves structural performance by delaying local buckling of steel tube. Compared to localized confinement provided by discreet ties in reinforced columns, the steel tube provides continuous confinement to infill concrete which results in improved energy dissipation and ductility performance. Concrete filled tubes (CFTs) provide improved structural strength and ductility while minimizing the cost of column formwork. The construction sequence of CFT allows its use for accelerated bridge construction applications. The use of CFTs for bridges in the U.S. has been limited mainly due to lack of design provisions, particularly for seismic zones. This research proposes a new detail for column-to-footing connection using ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC). Several details were studied, and a detail comprises of CFT embedded in a layer of UHPC located near the plastic hinge zone of the column is selected to for experimental and numerical study. Using experiments from existing literature, pretest finite element analysis was carried out on the design parameters including effect of confinement, tension pull out and shear behavior of the connectors. Three connection details were experimentally studied under a combination of constant axial and incremental lateral cyclic load. The proposed connection is desired to have a ductile behavior with the plastic hinge forming away from the footing which is typically designed as a capacity protected element. The results of the experiments and pretest analysis were used to carry out parametric finite element analysis. Further experimental and numerical study is proposed to recommend design and construction provisions

CONSUMER PANACEA OVER INTERNET USAGE IN PAKISTAN

The present age is the era of information technology and everywhere microwaves are scattered. Everybody wants to explore itself with this information technology and happenings taking place of Internet for the purpose of education, awareness, entertainment and especially interaction with strangers. In Pakistan, the awareness of internet usage is increasing and people are gaining knowledge about online buying and selling. Although the Internet may well empower consumers, there is a paucity of systematic conceptual, analytical, or empirical research indicating that the Internet will in fact lead to more and better information, which in turn will lead to better consumer decision making. The Internet is not, in and of itself, a monolithic entity subject to broad generalizations. It is a complex phenomenon, unlike anything else in history and not completely understood. This research finds that consumers who have more positive beliefs about Internet apparel shopping have more positive attitude toward Internet apparel shopping than do consumers who have less positive beliefs about Internet apparel shopping and consumers who have more social support for Internet apparel shopping perceive more social acceptance of Internet apparel shopping than do consumers who have less social support for Internet apparel shopping.e-Marketing, internet usage.

Panel Data Analysis of Institutional Quality and Population Health Outcomes

This study investigates the institutional quality effect on population health outcomes. Explanatory variables are government stability, corruption, law and order, democratic accountability and bureaucracy quality. Whereas for the population health proxies are infant mortality rate and life expectancy. The sample of this study consist of 105 countries. Five years’ average data from 1984 to 2012 is taken from the Political Risk Services Group and World Development Indicators 2015. This study considers econometric techniques like Fixed Effects, Random Effects and GMM. Study findings indicate that population health is positively affected by the institutional quality that is increasing life expectancy and dropping infant mortality rate. Furthermore, GDP per capita, physician, and population density display a positive influence on life expectancy. The results propose that to achieve population better health outcomes, authorities must cautiously contemplate the quality of institutions

An Investigation of Multidimensional Energy Poverty in Pakistan

Poverty is an alarming problem all over the world. It is one of the severe challenges today faced by not only the developing nations but by the developed nations also. However, the problem is worst in developing countries [United Nations and IEA (2010)]. All these countries face poverty in different forms such as food poverty, energy poverty, shortage of natural resources, shortage of agricultural products, lack of shelter and clothing among others. It is persuasive to correlate poverty with lack of energy consumption also. Such a correlation identifies that poor use energy very inadequately [Pachauri, et al. (2004)]. Energy helps societies to move from one development stage to another. Worldwide energy demand is increasing while supply is decreasing due to increase in the world population, emerging economies and economic development. In current day to day life energy has become an essential requirement. For all of us energy is required for lighting, transportation, cooking, health services, and to fulfill many of our basic needs. Electricity access at household level enhances telecommunication, entertainment, and knowledge via radio, television, and computer etc

Nature of crop contents of an amblyceran pigeon louse, Colpocephalum turbinatum (Phthiraptera: Insecta)

Selected haemetophagous phthirapterans have been convicted to act as reservoir and transmitter of pathogens among their hosts. Amblyceran Phthiraptera are generally believed to exhibit varying degree of haemetophagy. The microscopic examination of 100 adults (both sexes) and 47 nymphal instars of an amblyceran louse, Colpocephalum turbinatum revealed their non haemetophagous nature as any red content compatible with host blood was not detected in their crops. The crops of the lice were found packed with only feather barbules. On seven instances the pieces of egg chorion and in 20 cases the presence of epidermal tissue were also detected in crop contents. However, the presence of any triturating agent (any structure which can help in grinding the feather contents) was not noticed. SEM studies on the ventral side of the head of the louse do not indicate the presence of any pointed gear which can be used to pierce the skin blood vessels of host. Present study suggests that few amblyceran species of Phthiraptera are not in haemetophagous in nature

Measuring Multidimensional Poverty and Inequality in Pakistan

The key development objective of Pakistan, since its existence, has been to reduce poverty, inequality and to improve the condition of its people. While this goal seems very important in itself yet is also necessary for the eradication of other social, political and economic problems. The objective to eradicate poverty has remained same but methodology to analysing this has changed. It can be said that failure of most of the poverty strategies is due to lack of clear choice of poverty definition. A sound development policy including poverty alleviation hinges upon accurate and well-defined measurements of multidimensional socio-economic characteristics which reflect the ground realities confronting the poor and down trodden rather than using some abstract/income based criteria for poverty measurement. Conventionally welfare has generally been measured using income or expenditures criteria. Similarly, in Pakistan poverty has been measured mostly in uni-dimension, income or expenditures variables. However, recent literature on poverty has pointed out some drawbacks in measuring uni-dimensional poverty in terms of money. It is argued that uni-dimensional poverty measures are insufficient to understand the wellbeing of individuals. Poverty is a multidimensional concept rather than a unidimensional. Uni-dimensional poverty is unable to capture a true picture of poverty because poverty is more than income deprivatio

Exploring the Field Assistant’s Activities for Sustainable Development in District Tank, Pakistan

To explore the Field Assistant’s (FA) activities for sustainable development in district Tank, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan the present study was conducted during year 2015. Based on guess variability 270 respondents were selected from nine sampled villages Viz. Abizar, Akbari, Amakhel, Gul Imam, Kaka Khel, Kari Shahnoor, Kot Azam, Kiri Haidar and Umar Ada. Data was collected through well structured, pre-tested interview schedule using personal interview method. It was found that that Field Assistants (FAs) provides new information (175 respondents). It was also found that FAs were available at their offices (164) and farmers were satisfied from the solution recommended by FAs, of the problem they reported (159). Chi-square test results showed highly significant (P≤0.01) association among land holding with FAs office visits by farmers and FAs visits to farmer’s fields. Similarly highly significant (P≤0.01) association of age was also observed with FAs visit to field. Highly significant (P≤0.01) positive correlation of provision of new knowledge by FAs was also observed with benefits from recommendation of FAs (0.586) and demonstrations (0.61) conducted by FAs. It is concluded that apart from non-availability of proper facilities for FAs they were indulge in performing their duties to their level best. Majority of respondents appreciate their work in improving their knowledge of agriculture, solving their problems, increasing their productivity, uplift of their life and thus results in sustainable development. Keywords: Field Assistants; Sustainable Development; Field Visit