2,932 research outputs found
Effect of dehydration on blood tests
No full textIn this third article in our ‘Test tips’ series, Dr Muhammad Masood Ashraf and Dr Rustam Rea examine the effects of dehydration on all essential diabetes blood tests, and provide guidance on key practical points to consider
Improving tribomechanical properties of polymeric nanocomposite coatings
No full textLow friction, high wear resistance and strong adhesion in polymeric coatings employed in a variety of industrial and domestic processes such as in ball bearings, water repellent surfaces, antiadhesive coatings, and anticorrosion systems are of significant interest for energy saving and durability purposes. Even small increases in friction can have implications on energy efficiency, life time expectancy and performance of such coatings
Scaling Optical Transport using Multi-band Photonic Integrated Switching Systems
No full textL'abstract è presente nell'allegato / the abstract is in the attachmen
Smart Provisioning of Sliceable Bandwidth Variable Transponders in Elastic Optical Networks
No full textPrior provisioning of optical source technologies have techno-economic importance for the operator during the design and planning of optical network architectonics. Advancement towards the latest technology paradigm such as Elastic Optical Networks (EONs) and Software Defined Networking (SDN) open a gateway for a flexible and re-configurable optical network architecture. In order to achieve the required degree of flexibility, a flexible and dynamic behaviour is required both at the control and data plane. In this regards, SDN-enabled flexible optical transceivers are proposed to provide the required degree of flexibility. Sliceable Bandwidth Variable Transponders (SBVTs) is one of the recent type of flexible optical transceivers. Based on the type/technology of optical carrier source, the SBVTs are categorized into two types; Multi-Laser SBVT (ML-SBVT) and Multi-wavelength SBVT (MW-SBVT). Both architectures have their own pros and cons when it comes to accommodate traffic request. In this paper, we propose a selection model for the SBVTs before its actual deployment in the network. The selection model consider various design and planning phase network characteristics. In addition to this selection model, the comparison of centralized Flex-OCSM architecture is also presented with the already discussed SBVT types. The analysis in this work is performed on random network (20 nodes) and the German Network (17 nodes)
Supply Chain Operations Management in Pandemics: A State-of-the-Art Review Inspired by COVID-19
No full textPandemics cause chaotic situations in supply chains (SC) around the globe, which can lead towards survivability challenges. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented humanitarian crisis that has severely affected global business dynamics. Similar vulnerabilities have been caused by other outbreaks in the past. In these terms, prevention strategies against propagating disruptions require vigilant goal conceptualization and roadmaps. In this respect, there is a need to explore supply chain operation management strategies to overcome the challenges that emerge due to COVID-19-like situations. Therefore, this review is aimed at exploring such challenges and developing strategies for sustainability, and viability perspectives for SCs, through a structured literature review (SLR) approach. Moreover, this study investigated the impacts of previous epidemic outbreaks on SCs, to identify the research objectives, methodological approaches, and implications for SCs. The study also explored the impacts of epidemic outbreaks on the business environment, in terms of effective resource allocation, supply and demand disruptions, and transportation network optimization, through operations management techniques. Furthermore, this article structured a framework that emphasizes the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies, resilience strategies, and sustainability to overcome SC challenges during pandemics. Finally, future research avenues were identified by including a research agenda for experts and practitioners to develop new pathways to get out of the crisis
Mitigation of road traffic crash hazard in Pakistan
No full textPurpose - Road traffic crashes (RTCs) result in creating significant social and economic hazard for affectees, their families and society. The purpose of this paper is to present studies which were conducted to study the patterns of RTCs in Karachi which is a metropolitan city of Pakistan. The studies were conducted on one of the busiest roads in the city named as Shara-e-Faisal. The influence and contribution of different factors in RTCs has been studied and hazardous road sections of Shara-e-Faisal have been identified. Based on the data analysis, an evaluation model has been suggested to reduce the hazard of RTCs on Shara-e-Faisal. The objective of the presented studies is to increase the present level of safety of road travel by reducing crashes on Shara-e-Faisal. Design/methodology/approach - Existing data of RTCs in Karachi have been analysed for the presented studies. For this purpose, Shara-e-Faisal was divided in sections of 1 km length to study the vehicle crash pattern. Location surveys were conducted to record physical conditions of this road. A cluster analysis was carried out to identify hazardous sections of the road. An evaluation model has been suggested in the end to reduce the hazard of RTCs by identifying hazardous road sections of Shara-e-Faisal. Findings - The analysis of the data revealed that the crashes were higher over weekend and on Monday. Male population, particularly young people, and motorcycle riders were the largest affectees of RTCs. In general, more daytime crashes were recorded as compared to nighttime crashes. The crashes in the mid block of the road and those involving rear-end collisions were higher. The hazardous road locations were related to poor road conditions. Statistical analysis indicated that alternate routes were required to reduce the RTC hazard on Shara-e-Faisal. Research limitations/implications - The paper is a small, but an original, contribution to identify a potential hazard which is faced by the community in the city. This is the first attempt (to the best of authors' knowledge) to address the issue of RTCs in Karachi from an engineering view point. Practical implications -The suggested model can be employed by the authorities as a guideline to mitigate the hazard of road crashes in the country. Originality/value - The paper provides valuable information on the road traffic incidents, their pattern and contributing factors in one of the largest metropolis of Pakistan. The suggested model can become helpful in reducing RTCs in Pakistan
Social protection expenditures, poverty, inequality, and economic growth in Pakistan
No full textThis paper study the relationship between social protection expenditures, poverty, income inequality and economic growth in a marginalized country like Pakistan by using annual data available from 1983 to 2015. Three econometric time series models have been developed; the first model explored the impact of social protection expenditures on poverty; second model investigated the impact of social protection expenditures on income inequality and a third model shows the impact of poverty, income inequality and social protection expenditures on economic growth. Results of cointegration techniques suggested to increase social protection expenditures reduces poverty and inequality in case of Pakistan. Furthermore, increase the expenditures on social protection programs have positive impact on economy and boost economic growth
DR. TAHIR TAUNSVI'S WORK ON MASOOD HASSAN RIZVI ADEEB
No full textDr. Tahir Taunsvi is a well-known and acclaimed researcher, critic, and poet of Urdu language and literature. His, more than seventy remarkable books (compilations and compositions) are a great contribution to Urdu research and criticism. He has also written more than three hundred valuable research articles. He introduced many literary personalities to the arena of the Urdu language and literature. Prominent Indian researcher and critic Syed Masood Hassan Rizvi Adeeb and his literary dimensions are an important field of Dr. Tahir Taunsvi’s research work. In this article, the authors have presented an analytical study of the following four research books of Dr. Tahir Taunsvi. Masood Hassan Rizvi Adeeb: Hayat Aur Karnamay, Lakhnawyat_e _Adeeb, Razm Nama Anees O Dabeer Taaruf O Taqabal, Masood Hassan Rizvi Adeeb, Kitabyaat. In these detailed and comprehensive research books, the author has unfolded the life history, different literary dimensions (especially, as a critic, researcher, and poet), and the worth of literary achievements of Syed Masood Hassan Rizvi Adeeb. This study not only unveils the salient features of these exceptional research books of Dr. Tahir Taunsvi but also throws light on the multidimensional literary aspects of renowned writer Masood Hassan Rizvi Adeeb
A Multi-Ray Channel Modelling Approach to Enhance UAV Communications in Networked Airspace
No full textIn recent years, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, has significantly surged across civil, military, and commercial sectors. Ensuring reliable and efficient communication between UAVs and between UAVs and base stations is challenging due to dynamic factors such as altitude, mobility, environmental obstacles, and atmospheric conditions, which existing communication models fail to address fully. This paper presents a multi-ray channel model that captures the complexities of the airspace network, applicable to both ground-to-air (G2A) and air-to-air (A2A) communications to ensure reliability and efficiency within the network. The model outperforms conventional line-of-sight assumptions by integrating multiple rays to reflect the multipath transmission of UAVs. The multi-ray channel model considers UAV flights’ dynamic and 3-D nature and the conditions in which UAVs typically operate, including urban, suburban, and rural environments. A technique that calculates the received power at a target UAV within a networked airspace is also proposed, utilizing the reflective characteristics of UAV surfaces along with the multi-ray channel model. The developed multi-ray channel model further facilitates the characterization and performance evaluation of G2A and A2A communications. Additionally, this paper explores the effects of various factors, such as altitude, the number of UAVs, and the spatial separation between them on the power received by the target UAV. The simulation outcomes are validated by empirical data and existing theoretical models, providing comprehensive insight into the proposed channel modelling technique
- …
