Effect of a Discrete PIN Diode on Defected Ground Structure

Abstract—This paper investigates the effect of a discrete PIN diode on Defected Ground Structure (DGS) where the different resonant frequency between ON and OFF state of the PIN diode is observed. Analytical modeling is determined and analyzed based on equivalent circuit of PIN diode and DGS. Then, a circuit simulation is performed using simulation software with different value of inductance and capacitance of DGS during ON and OFF state of the PIN diode. As a result, the resonant frequency of the PIN diode on the DGS shifted to higher frequency during ON state and shifted to lower frequency during OFF state. Besides, a larger value of inductance with a smaller value of capacitance of DGS will produce a larger range of resonant frequency between ON and OFF state and vice versa

The Effect of Using Castor Oil on the Pollutants Emission in a Continuous Combustion Chamber

This study investigates the effect of Castor oil on the pollutants emissions in the continuous combustion chamber. The bio-blend fuels used are mixtures of Castor oil with two types of hydrocarbon fuels (gas oil and kerosene). The pollutants measured include carbon monoxide CO, unburned hydrocarbon UHC, soot and nitrogen oxide NOx . It is found that all pollutants have less emissions when using Castor oil blended in different percentages of 5% , 7%, and 10% . The lower emission with Castor oil blends due to the existence of oxygen O2 in the chemical structure of the Castor oil which is sufficient to seek the complete combustion. The test were conducted through the range of equivalence ratio between (0.85-1.7) . Results showed that Castor oil blends with gas oil brings a reduction of about 71.2% in CO, 22.1% in UHC, 37.8% in NOx and 29.6% in soot emissions from that of pure gas oil. But, blends with kerosene, showed a reduction of about 70.6% in CO, 20% in UHC, 35.8% in NOx and 29% in soot emissions compared with those of pure kerosene

Diving accidents treated at a military hospital-based recompression chamber facility in Peninsular Malaysia.

This paper describes the pattern of diving accidents treated in a military hospital-based recompression chamber facility in Peninsular Malaysia. A retrospective study was carried out to utilize secondary data from the respective hospital medical records from 1st January 1996 to 31st December 2004. A total of 179 cases categorized as diving accidents received treatment with an average of 20 cases per year. Out of 179 cases, 96.3% (n=173) received recompression treatment. Majority were males (93.3%), civilians (87.2%) and non-Malaysian citizens (59.2%). Commercial diving activities contributed the highest percentage of diving accidents (48.0%), followed by recreational (39.2%) and military (12.8%). Diving accidents due to commercial diving (n=86) were mainly contributed by underwater logging activities (87.2%). The most common cases sustained were decompression illness (DCI) (96.1%). Underwater logging and recreational diving activities which contribute to a significant number of diving accidents must be closely monitored. Notification, centralised data registration, medical surveillance as well as legislations related to diving activities in Malaysia are essential to ensure adequate monitoring of diving accidents in the future

Welfare Economics and Cultural Analysis: Islamic Perspectives on Barber Shops

Barber shop businesses are increasingly mushrooming in average cities and big cities. We can see that many exist in almost every segment and road. Barber shops are commonly made with a box house model with a medium size, dominated by glass and spandex. It is important to examine in depth whether this trend is part of long-standing cultural factors, or is the influence of a global culture promoting the idea that everyone needs a barber shop to keep their appearance updated and current, or is a side culture that was born out of current economic conditions. Another element to consider is the view of Islam, and the value of measurement in pursuing economic value and welfare. The barber shop culture seems to be a reflection of the habits of people living in developing cities and other big cities. Keywords: welfare economics, culture and Islamic perspective, barbersho

ADHERENCE TO OPIOID THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC NON-CANCER PAIN ATTENDING A PAIN CLINIC IN MALAYSIA

Objectives: This study examined the adherence to opioid therapy in patients with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP). The prevalence of opioid use and pain scores was also explored.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with noncancer pain attending a pain clinic at a tertiary hospital in Malaysia from August 2016 to February 2017. All patients prescribed with any of the five available opioids (morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, buprenorphine, and dihydrocodeine) were included in the study, and their medical and prescription records were assessed for further information on opioid use such as the type of opioid, dose, frequency, and duration. The prevalence of opioid use was calculated by dividing the number of opioid users and the total number of patients attending the pain clinic during the study. Adherence was calculated for patients with long-term opioid therapy (>90 days/ year) and measured using the medication possession ratio (MPR). This was derived by sum up the total days covered with medication in the last 365 days; and then divide that by the total days, the medication was prescribed over the same period. A cutoff point of 80% or more was considered as adherence. The pain intensity score was assessed through a numerical scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain) at four different points (now, on average, least in the last 24 h, and worst in the last 24 h).Results: A total of 555 patients with various noncancer pain conditions attended the pain clinic during the study. The prevalence of opioid use among these patients was 13.5% (n=74/555). Of these, 24.3% (n=18/74) of patients using opioids for long term (>90 days) and were included in the adherence measure. 78% (n=14/18) of these long-term opioid users were adherent to opioid therapy with a reported MPR >80%. 22% (n=4/18) of patients showed nonadherence to opioid therapy with a reported MPR <80%. The mean pain score for both adherent and nonadherent groups was 5/10, and there was no statistical difference between the two groups.Conclusion: The preliminary results of this study demonstrated that the majority of patients with chronic opioid use adhered to their prescribed opioids. The prevalence of opioid use among patients with noncancer pain was low, and the number of patients using opioid for the long term was ~20% which is similar to the finding from the previous study. The future research is required to evaluate the clinical outcomes in patients with CNCP using opioid for long term particularly in nonadherent patients

Evaluation of seedling resistance and marker assisted selection for leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) resistance in Pakistani wheat landraces, cultivars and advanced lines

Leaf rust is amongst major biotic constraints of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) having ability to cause substantial yield reductions worldwide. A continuous exploration for novel sources of resistance is pre-requisite for its management. Objectives of study were to conduct resistance evaluation of 112 Pakistani landraces and 48 advanced lines/ cultivars at seedling stage with total 10 virulent pathotypes of leaf rust, 3 from Pakistan and 7 from U.S.A and to detect closely linked markers for Lr10, 16, 34 and 67 genes through marker-assisted selection (MAS). Findings revealed most of Pakistani landraces showed lack of resistance at seedling stage. Only 7 accessions of landraces and 11 advanced lines were found highly resistant against all pathotypes of Pakistan. Similarly, 10 advanced lines exhibited high resistance while variability in resistance was recorded for landraces against all pathotypes tested from USA. Marker-assisted selection revealed Lr genes i.e. Lr10, Lr16, Lr34 and Lr67 were present at various frequencies. Highest frequency was observed for Lr34 followed by Lr16 & Lr67 while lowest was recorded for Lr10. These genetic resources and lines identified effective against Pakistan and USA pathotypes are potential sources for improvement of leaf rust (LR) resistance and can be utilized as valuable material for breeding resistant wheat cultivars.Campus Ic

Designing large-scale antenna array using sub-array

Antenna array of large scale have been examined for different applications including 5G technology. To get better data rate or a reliable link substantial number of antenna arrays have been utilized to provide high multiplexing gains as well as array gains with high directivity. In this paper a simple but efficient implementation technique of using sub-arrays for the improvement of large-sized uniform arrays. By repeating a small sub-array multiple times large arrays can be designed. This implication of utilizing small array simplifies the design of a larger array which allows the designer to concentrate on the smaller sub-array before assembling larger arrays. So, by investigating the sub arrays the performance and radiation characteristics of large arrays can be anticipated. The array-factor for a planar sub-array of 2x2 (4 elements) is analyzed using Mat-lab software and then a large array is formed by placing the 2x2 sub-array indifferent configurations in a rectangular arrangements up to 8x8 planar array. And then the results are validated with CST (Computer simulation technology) simulation results.In this way the array-factors, directivities, HPBWs, and side lobes of the constructed large arrays are analyzed and associated with the small sub-array

UWB antenna based time-domain approach for through the walls gap estimation

This paper has introduced a novel experimental system adopted a time domain approach for estimating through wall distance and recognizes buried objects behind the wall. The designed and fabricated balanced antipodal Vivaldi antenna (BAVA) has been used for the development of UWB system. The working mechanism of an intended detection system based on time domain reflectometry (TDR) and ground-penetrating radar (GPR). A miniature pulse in the UWB range is generated by the vector network analyzer (VNA) to irradiate a barrier made of two walls separated by airgap between them. The signal radiations reflect partially from the front wall while remaining goes through for getting reflected from the rear wall. The VNA is used for measuring the time interval passed between the instant when an incident signal irradiates the first wall and the instant when the incident signal gets reflected from the rear wall. The investigational process of a system is carried out by UWB antenna probe. The detected information is attained using the values of reflection coefficient (S 11 ) represented in time domain measurements. Experimental results have been proved the ability to detect wall gap as well as the width estimation between two walls with high accuracy. The maximum percentage error has been found to not exceeding 4.5% in the worst condition

Adherence to opioid therapy in patients with chronic non-cancer pain attending a pain clinic in Malaysia

Objectives: This study examined the adherence to opioid therapy in patients with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP). The prevalence of opioid use and pain scores was also explored. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with noncancer pain attending a pain clinic at a tertiary hospital in Malaysia from August 2016 to February 2017. All patients prescribed with any of the five available opioids (morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, buprenorphine, and dihydrocodeine) were included in the study, and their medical and prescription records were assessed for further information on opioid use such as the type of opioid, dose, frequency, and duration. The prevalence of opioid use was calculated by dividing the number of opioid users and the total number of patients attending the pain clinic during the study. Adherence was calculated for patients with long-term opioid therapy (>90 days/ year) and measured using the medication possession ratio (MPR). This was derived by sum up the total days covered with medication in the last 365 days; and then divide that by the total days, the medication was prescribed over the same period. A cutoff point of 80% or more was considered as adherence. The pain intensity score was assessed through a numerical scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain) at four different points (now, on average, least in the last 24 h, and worst in the last 24 h). Results: A total of 555 patients with various noncancer pain conditions attended the pain clinic during the study. The prevalence of opioid use among these patients was 13.5% (n=74/555). Of these, 24.3% (n=18/74) of patients using opioids for long term (>90 days) and were included in the adherence measure. 78% (n=14/18) of these long-term opioid users were adherent to opioid therapy with a reported MPR >80%. 22% (n=4/18) of patients showed nonadherence to opioid therapy with a reported MPR <80%. The mean pain score for both adherent and nonadherent groups was 5/10, and there was no statistical difference between the two groups. Conclusion: The preliminary results of this study demonstrated that the majority of patients with chronic opioid use adhered to their prescribed opioids. The prevalence of opioid use among patients with noncancer pain was low, and the number of patients using opioid for the long term was ~20% which is similar to the finding from the previous study. The future research is required to evaluate the clinical outcomes in patients with CNCP using opioid for long term particularly in nonadherent patients