2,080 research outputs found
Examining Correlates of Alcohol Related Condom-less Sex among Youth in Kampala, Uganda
The purpose of this study is to examine the factors associated with alcohol related condom-less sex among youth living in the slums of Kampala, Uganda. Analyses are based on cross-sectional survey data, collected in 2014, of a convenience sample (n = 1134) of urban service-seeking youth participating in a Uganda Youth Development Link drop-in center. Logistic regression analyses were computed to determine the factors associated with intoxicated condom usage. The analytic sample consisted of only youth who responded to the dependent variable (n = 347), youth who reported not using a condom due while intoxicated and youth who reported using a condom while intoxicated. In the bivariate analysis, not using a condom while intoxicated was associated with being female (OR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.21, 2.85), age of first drinking being between ages 13-16 (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: .79, 2.85), age of first time drunk being between ages 13-16 (OR: 2.88; 95% CI: 1.47, 5.67), binge drinking (OR: 3.64; 95% CI: 2.21, 5.98), rape (OR: 2.69; 95% CI: 1.64, 4.41), sex work (OR: 5.91; 95% CI: 3.09, 11.29), and being able to refuse sex when intoxicated (OR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.10, 2.61). In the multivariable analysis, not using a condom while intoxicated was associated with being binge drinking (AOR: 2.97; 95% CI: 1.71, 5.17) and sex work (AOR: 3.48; 95% CI: 1.62, 7.49). The findings of this study emphasize many unmet needs of this vulnerable population. Strategies that specifically seek to address teenage alcohol prevention and delaying initial alcohol consumption may be particularly beneficial in this low-resource setting
A study of the long term evolution of quasi periodic oscillations in the accretion powered X-ray pulsar 4U 1626-67
We report here a study of the long term properties of Quasi Periodic
Oscillations (QPO) in an unusual accreting X-ray pulsar, 4U 1626--67. This is a
unique accretion powered X-ray pulsar in which we have found the QPOs to be
present during all sufficiently long X-ray observations with a wide range of
X-ray observatories. In the present spin-down era of this source, the QPO
central frequency is found to be decreasing. In the earlier spin-up era of this
source, there are only two reports of QPO detections, in 1983 with EXOSAT and
1988 with GINGA with an increasing trend. The QPO frequency evolution in 4U
1626--67 during the last 22 years changed from a positive to a negative trend,
somewhat coincident with the torque reversal in this source. In the accretion
powered X-ray pulsars, the QPO frequency is directly related to the inner
radius of the accretion disk, as per Keplerian Frequency Model (KFM) and Beat
Frequency Model (BFM). A gradual depletion of accretion disk is reported
earlier from the X-ray spectral, flux and pulse profile measurements. The
present QPO frequency evolution study shows that X-ray flux and mass accretion
rate may not change by the same factor, hence the simple KFM and BFM are not
able to explain the QPO evolution in this source. This is the only X-ray pulsar
to show persistent QPOs and is also the first accreting X-ray pulsar in which
the QPO history is reported for a long time scale relating it with the long
term evolution of the accretion disk.Comment: 14 pages, 3 figures. Accepted for publication in Ap
Robotization and digitalisation in the construction industry
Abstract. Industry 4.0 has emerged as a famous concept in the last few years to describe the significance of digitisation and robotization in the smart manufacturing environment. The advancements in robotics, digital software, and smart technologies have allowed a new wave in the construction industry. The construction industry is the major economic pillar and provides a significant impact on the overall GDP of the country. Despite the predominant pillar, it is considered as the poor innovator and late adopter of new technologies, which ends up with delays and cost overruns in their construction projects. Considering this aspect, the research emphasises the importance of adopting the latest technologies in the construction industry in order to enhance the productivity and efficiency of various processes. This study seeks to examine existing robotization and digitalisation practices in the leading construction companies and intends to provide the required improvement ideas in this research domain.
The empirical results revealed that the majority of the case companies lack basis to implement the latest technologies in their construction activities. They believe that effective use of the available technologies is an asset, but it is a long process to be achieved. Thus, the thesis is concluded by providing the critical information regarding the adoption of latest technologies and proposes a framework that can help to enhance the robotization and digitisation practices to improve the performance of the construction activities. The mentioned framework mainly focusses on elements that this research found as a potential need for companies to implement. This framework has a future scope for validation and also key elements of the framework can be utilised for further research
On the highly reddened members in 6 young galactic star clusters - a multiwavelength study
The spectral and reddening properties of 211 highly reddened proper motion
members with mag in 6 young galactic star clusters are investigated
using low resolution spectroscopic, broad-band and mid-IR data. We
report emission features in CaII HK and HI lines for a sample of 29 stars
including 11 stars reported for the first time and also provide either a new or
more reliable spectral class for a sample of 24 stars. CaII triplet width
measurements are used to indicate the presence of an accretion disk for a dozen
stars and to hint luminosity for a couple of stars. On the basis of spectral
features, near-IR excesses, dereddened color-color diagrams and mid-IR spectral
indices we identify a group of 28 pre-main sequence cluster members including 5
highly probable Herbig Ae/Be and 6 classical T Tauri star. A total of 25
non-emission MS stars, amounting to 10 % early type MS members, appears
to show Vega-like characteristics or are precursors to such a phenomenon. The
various membership indicators suggest that 16% of the PM members are
non-members. A significant fraction (70%) of program stars in NGC 1976, NGC
2244, NGC 6530 and NGC 6611 show anomalous reddening with =
, , and , respectively,
indicating the presence of grain size dust larger than that typical to the
diffuse medium. A small number of stars in NGC 1976, NGC 2244 and NGC 6611 also
show normal behavior while the cluster NGC 6823 appears to have a normal
reddening. Three highly luminous late type giants, one in NGC 2244 and two in
NGC 6530, appears to be member and are in post-hydrogen-core-burning stages
suggesting a prolonged duration ( 25 Myrs) of star formation.Comment: 12 pages, 13 figures, submitted to MNRA
Tuning of PID controller by bioinspired techniques
PID controllers have been extensively used for a long time for the purpose of process controls.Efficient methods for tuning of PID controllers is still a challange to designers. This project work is based on the development of PID controller for a low damping plant using Bio inspired evolutionary soft computational techniques.We have implemented Particle Swarm Optimization and Bacterial Foraging Optimization techniques to tune the parameters of the PID for a fifth order low damping plant and have done a comparative study of the performance of both the techniques
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