FEM Modeling of Squeeze Film Damping Effect in RF-MEMS Switches

A very important aspect in the design of RF- MEMS switches, is to obtain low switching time. The switching time not only depends on the device geometric parameters but also on the operating conditions. This paper presents the squeeze film damping effect on the dynamic response of the RF-MEMS switches. The squeeze film damping effect, with and without perforations, on the switching time is analyzed using finite element method (FEM) simulations. The effect of temperature and humidity on the squeeze film damping and switching time is also investigated

AudRandAug: Random Image Augmentations for Audio Classification

Data augmentation has proven to be effective in training neural networks. Recently, a method called RandAug was proposed, randomly selecting data augmentation techniques from a predefined search space. RandAug has demonstrated significant performance improvements for image-related tasks while imposing minimal computational overhead. However, no prior research has explored the application of RandAug specifically for audio data augmentation, which converts audio into an image-like pattern. To address this gap, we introduce AudRandAug, an adaptation of RandAug for audio data. AudRandAug selects data augmentation policies from a dedicated audio search space. To evaluate the effectiveness of AudRandAug, we conducted experiments using various models and datasets. Our findings indicate that AudRandAug outperforms other existing data augmentation methods regarding accuracy performance.Comment: Paper has accepted at 25th Irish Machine Vision and Image Processing Conferenc

Mathematical modelling of a rumour spreading with the attitude of adjusting mechanisms

With the advent of the internet, social media of Facebook and Twitter, as well as the communication technology of WhatsApp and Telegram, the speed and scope of the rumour dissemination has been expanded. Understanding the characterization of rumour dissemination and how it spreads can help in mitigation measures to avoid the spread of the rumour. Therefore, it is crucial to propose a mathematical model, and in particular this paper is concerned with the epidemic model to understand the dissemination of the rumour in social network. The mechanism of rumour propagation is behaving like infectious diseases spread; hence this research adopted the epidemiological model approach. In this network, the compartment is divided into susceptible, ignorant, propagation and stiflers. The basic influence number, the equilibrium points of rumour-free and the endemic equilibrium state were obtained and discussed. For the local stability, the Next Generation Matrix was used. Numerical simulation is performed to understand the dynamics of the spread of rumour in a population or social networks, its impact in a population, and adjusting mechanisms in curbing the spread of rumour

Mathematical modelling of a rumour spreading with the attitude of adjusting mechanisms

With the advent of the internet, social media of Facebook and Twitter, as well as the communication technology of WhatsApp and Telegram, the speed and scope of the rumour dissemination has been expanded. Understanding the characterization of rumour dissemination and how it spreads can help in mitigation measures to avoid the spread of the rumour. Therefore, it is crucial to propose a mathematical model, and in particular this paper is concerned with the epidemic model to understand the dissemination of the rumour in social network. The mechanism of rumour propagation is behaving like infectious diseases spread; hence this research adopted the epidemiological model approach. In this network, the compartment is divided into susceptible, ignorant, propagation and stiflers. The basic influence number, the equilibrium points of rumour-free and the endemic equilibrium state were obtained and discussed. For the local stability, the Next Generation Matrix was used. Numerical simulation is performed to understand the dynamics of the spread of rumour in a population or social networks, its impact in a population, and adjusting mechanisms in curbing the spread of rumour

Experimental Investigation of Vacuum Membrane Distillation (VMD) Performance Based on Operational Parameters for Clean Water Production

Freshwater shortage is an ongoing concern across the world, due to increasing populations and climate change. Vacuum membrane distillation (VMD) is a viable approach for producing fresh water to meet the needs of society. In the current study, an experimental investigation has been conducted on a laboratory-scale single-stage module to explore the impact of operational parameters such as feed temperature, vacuum pressure, and feed salinity on the performance of vacuum membrane distillation (VMD), including permeate flux, gained output ratio, and specific thermal energy consumption. Results show that increasing the feed temperature and feed flow rate, and reducing the salinity, increases the permeate flux. As the feed temperature rises from 60 to 70°C, the permeate flux increases from 1.90 to 4.36 kg/m²h at a permeate pressure of 12 kPa and salinity of 30 g/L. Similarly, increasing the vacuum pressure from 12 to 18 kPa reduces the permeate flux. As a result, the specific thermal energy consumption increases from 728 to 803 kWh/m³. From experimental findings, it was observed that the rejected brine from VMD retains sufficient energy that could be utilized in another desalination system

Go Together: Bridging the Gap between Learners and Teachers

After the pandemic, humanity has been facing different types of challenges. Social relationships, societal values, and academic and professional behavior have been hit the most. People are shifting their routines to social media and gadgets, and getting addicted to their isolation. This sudden change in their lives has caused an unusual social breakdown and endangered their mental health. In mid-2021, Pakistan's first Human Library was established under HelpingMind to overcome these effects. Despite online sessions and webinars, HelpingMind needs technology to reach the masses. In this work, we customized the UI or UX of a Go Together Mobile Application (GTMA) to meet the requirements of the client organization. A very interesting concept of the book (expert listener or psychologist) and the reader is introduced in GTMA. It offers separate dashboards, separate reviews or rating systems, booking, and venue information to engage the human reader with his or her favorite human book. The loyalty program enables the members to avail discounts through a mobile application and its membership is global where both the human-reader and human-books can register under the platform. The minimum viable product has been approved by our client organization

Percutaneous management of biliary enteric anastomotic strictures: an institutional review

Purpose Stricture formation at the biliary enteric anastomotic site is a common complication due to fibrotic healing. Few therapeutic options are available for biliary-enteric anastomotic site stricture (BES) including new surgical reconstruction or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage followed by balloon dilation of BES or stent placement. The purpose of this study is to assess the technical success, complications and reintervention rate of percutaneous transhepatic balloon dilatation (PTBD) of BES after iatrogenic bile duct injuries (BDI). Methods A retrospective review of patients who underwent PTBD for benign resistant BES, previously treated for iatrogenic BDI, from December 2004 to January 2016 was performed. Diagnostic transhepatic cholangiogram was performed to assess the level of obstruction. BES was dilated using 8-12 mm diameter balloons followed by placement of eight to ten Fr internal-external drainage catheters, which were removed after three to six weeks post-PTBD cholangiogram. Follow-up by clinical assessment, liver function tests, and ultrasound was done. Fischer exact test was used to determine if there was a significant association between PTBD sessions and recurrent strictures. Results In total, 37 patients underwent 66 sessions of PTBD, including 10 (27%) males and 27 (73%) females. The mean age was 41.3 years (range 23-70 years). Out of these, 29 (78%) were treated with choledochojejunostomy and eight (22%) with hepaticojejunostomy. 100% technical success was achieved in all the PTBD sessions. Nineteen (51.3%) patients were treated with a single PTBD session. Mean follow-up time was 36 months (range 1-75 months). Eighteen (48.7%) patients needed reintervention, out of these, 11 (29.7%) were symptom-free after second session on three-year follow-up, three (8%) were symptom-free after the third session of PTBD. No significant difference was observed in risk of recurrent strictures after first and second PTBD sessions [18 (48%) vs. 7 (39%); p-value 0.495]. In four (11%) patients, the symptoms persisted and BES recurred even after third session and those were treated by placing metallic stent. In total, three (8.1%) patients got complicated with the stone formation; in two (5%) patients stone was successfully removed percutaneously and in one (3%) patient percutaneous attempt failed so it was followed by surgical removal. Conclusion PTBD is a safe and useful treatment option for benign BES for long-term symptom-free time-period. However, there is no significant difference in developing recurrent BES after PTBD sessions. Few patients with resistant strictures might require stent placement

Development in Heavy Metal Ions Detection: Antimony-Hydroxyapatite Modified Electrodes Coupled with Square Wave Anodic Stripping Voltammetry

The occurrence of heavy metal ions in environmental matrices presents serious risks to human health and ecosystems. An electrochemical sensor for the simultaneous detection of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) ions in aqueous samples is presented in this study. The sensor was optimized through material composition, electrolyte, deposition, and electrochemical parameters using a modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) comprising hydroxyapatite (HAp) and antimony (Sb). Calibration studies showed high sensitivity (0.574 ± 0.32 ppb) and strong linearity (R2 = 0.993) for Pb detection. Repeated studies showed that the minimum standard deviation (RSD) was ±3.73%, confirming the reliability of the results. Real sample analysis of tap water with the developed method had less than 5% deviation in results as compared to results obtained from atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Furthermore, promising results were obtained from simultaneous detection of Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions, thus the sensor showed reliability for practical applications

An assessment of air quality within facilities of municipal solid waste management (MSWM) sites in Lahore, Pakistan

The pollutants emission during the process of municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is of great concern due to its hazardous effect on the environment and living organisms. An assessment of the air quality of MSWM sites was made after having 16 repetitive visits at solid waste disposal sites and transfer stations of Lahore during wet and dry seasons. Pollution parameters such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and greenhouse gases (GHG) were measured along with meteorological parameters. PM2.5 measurement was made by using particle counter Dylos and TSI’s Dust Trak. Both of these instruments were positioned simultaneously at the source site and downwind (50 m). CH4 and meteorological parameters were measured by Aeroqual 500 series, while the Extech CO220 monitor was used to measure CO2 concentration. An assessment of air quality showed the levels of their mean values as CH4 and CO2 ranged between 1.5–13.7 ppm and 443.4–515.7 ppm, respectively. The PM2.5 ranged between 127.1 and 307.1 µg/m3 at sources and 172.3 and 403.8 µg/m3 downwind (50 m). GHG showed lower levels than the proposed limit value, which could not cause any health issues, while PM2.5 was 6–10 times higher than the Pak-EPA established standards. Higher pollutant concentration was recorded in the dry season than the wet season. Regression analysis was performed to predict correlation of PM2.5 with GHG and meteorological parameters. GHG as well as meteorological parameters also exhibited a correlation with PM2.5. It was estimated that the ambient air of such sites is not safe for public health. So, it is necessary to use safe practices for MSWM and its emission control to prevent nearby communities and the environment

Improved accessibility of emergency obstetrics and newborn care (EmONC) services for maternal and newborn health: a community based project

Background: Every year an estimated three million neonates die globally and two hundred thousand of these deaths occur in Pakistan. Majority of these neonates die in rural areas of underdeveloped countries from preventable causes (infections, complications related to low birth weight and prematurity). Similarly about three hundred thousand mother died in 2010 and Pakistan is among ten countries where sixty percent burden of these deaths is concentrated. Maternal and neonatal mortality remain to be unacceptably high in Pakistan especially in rural areas where more than half of births occur. Method/Design: This community based cluster randomized controlled trial will evaluate the impact of an Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) package in the intervention arm compared to standard of care in control arm. Perinatal and neonatal mortality are primary outcome measure for this trial. The trial will be implemented in 20 clusters (Union councils) of District Rahimyar Khan, Pakistan. The EmONC package consists of provision of maternal and neonatal health pack (clean delivery kit, emollient, chlorhexidine) for safe motherhood and newborn wellbeing and training of community level and facility based health care providers with emphasis on referral of complicated cases to nearest public health facilities and community mobilization. Discussion: Even though there is substantial evidence in support of effectiveness of various health interventions for improving maternal, neonatal and child health. Reduction in perinatal and neonatal mortality remains a big challenge in resource constrained and diverse countries like Pakistan and achieving MDG 4 and 5 appears to be a distant reality. A comprehensive package of community based low cost interventions along the continuum of care tailored according to the socio cultural environment coupled with existing health force capacity building may result in improving the maternal and neonatal outcomes. The findings of this proposed community based trial will provide sufficient evidence on feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness to the policy makers for replicating and scaling up the interventions within the health syste