Showing papers by "National Defence University, Pakistan published in 2010"

Physical fitness profiles of young men: associations between physical fitness, obesity and health.

Abstract: Obesity in youth has increased during the last 10 years in Western countries. Several studies have investigated physical activity and its effects on obesity and health, showing that regular physical activity combined with improved physical fitness reduces the risk of obesity and several metabolic problems (e.g. diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, heart disease) and also improves overall health. However, there is only limited scientific information available concerning the changes in the physical fitness profiles of youth. It is obvious that only slight changes observed in endurance-type physical activity can also be observed in aerobic capacity. Today and in the future, a major public health concern for teenage and young adults is the combination of increasing body fatness together with decreasing physical fitness. In order to evaluate overall fitness level, it is particularly essential to examine both aerobic and neuromuscular fitness. Therefore, in clinical practice work and health behaviour education, a person's physical fitness should be measured more frequently with various measures. Furthermore, population-based surveys should be combined with regular measurement of physical fitness to study sedentary lifestyles, particularly in young people. This article presents a review of current physical fitness profiles of male children, adolescents and young adults, which hopefully initiates further studies in this relevant scientific field. In addition, the importance of physical fitness level is evaluated in relation to obesity and health. Collectively, studies examining physical fitness profiles of young men suggest a disturbing worldwide trend of decreased aerobic fitness and increased obesity. Continued efforts to foster improved physical fitness and healthy lifestyles should be encouraged to combat these trends. Such efforts should include frequent and objective assessment of physical fitness rather than solely relying on subjective assessment of physical activity.

Ballistic-proof Effects of Various Woven Constructions

Abstract: This research tested Para-aramid (Kevlar) fibrous products of equal specifications (mate rial and density) with respect to the influence of the fabric construction on their bulletproof behaviour. Constant speed and constant deformation energy tests were performed based on the static methods of the Material Test System, in which Armour Piercing Bullets (AP), Full metal Jacket Rifle Bullets (RB), and Fragment Simulating Projectiles (FSP) were ap plied. Among the samples of Kevlar woven fabrics tested, namely plain, twill, basket, and satin constructions, the plain weave construction demonstrated the best proofing properties against AP and RB, especially during low-speed tests of single-layer materials. In the highspeed FSP bulletproof test of multilayer constructions, 2×2 Basket fabric had the highest ballistic resistance performance, followed by the plain weave construction; the ballistic qualities of both these materials appreciably exceed those of other fibre woven fabrics. Satin fabric exhibited the weakest bulletproof properties in all the tests, apparently because of the weak stability of its construction. The main conclusion that can be drawn from the investigations performed is that in order to withstand a projectile impact, fibre woven fabrics should have a strong enough stability of their construction.

Hand and Finger Dexterity as a Function of Skin Temperature, EMG, and Ambient Condition:

Abstract: Objective: This article examines the changes in skin temperature (finger, hand, forearm), manual performance (hand dexterity and strength), and forearm surface electromyograph (EMG) through 40-min, 11 °C water cooling followed by 15-min, 34 °C water rewarming; additionally, it explores the relationship between dexterity and the factors of skin temperature, EMG, and ambient condition.Background: Hand exposure in cold conditions is unavoidable and significantly affects manual performance.Method: Two tasks requiring gross and fine dexterity were designed, namely, nut loosening and pin insertion, respectively. The nested-factorial design includes factors of gender, participant (nested within gender), immersion duration, muscle type (for EMG), and location (for skin temperature). The responses are changes in dexterity, skin temperature, normalized amplitude of EMG, and grip strength. Finally, factor analysis and stepwise regression are used to explore factors affecting hand and finger dexterity.Results: Dexter...

Improved ɛ expansion in the theory of turbulence: summation of nearest singularities by inclusion of an infrared irrelevant operator

Abstract: A method is put forward to improve the e expansion in the theory of developed d-dimensional turbulence on the basis of the renormalization of random forcing in the stochastic Navier-Stokes equation. This renormalization takes into account additional divergences, which appear as d →2. In the nth order of the perturbation theory with the extended renormalization the first n terms of the usual e expansion are correctly reproduced as well as the first n terms of the Laurent expansion in the parameter d-2 of the terms of the rest of the usual e expansion. The Kolmogorov constant and skewness factor calculated in the one-loop approximation of the improved perturbation theory are in reasonable agreement with their recommended experimental values.

Making of a Native Orientalist: Latent Orientalism in Confessions of an Old Boy: The Dato’ Hamid Adventures

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to examine the sustaining effects of colonialism perpetuated in one of Malaysia‟s premier schools, The Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK), as discerned through Kam Raslan‟s Confessions of an Old Boy: The Dato‟ Hamid Adventures (2007). By highlighting that culture is a learned behaviour and man-made, this paper argues that a cultural programming process took place within the education system implemented in MCKK which was inherently an ideology transference mechanism appropriated by the British on the Malays. By blending the basic principle of computing process together with Edward Said‟s idea on the latent form of Orientalism, the cultural programming model makes overt certain colonial culture and ideology instilled through MCKK‟s form and function in serving the colonial interest. Hence, through the analysis of novel and historical accounts on the development of MCKK, we show that the British had surreptitiously transferred their culture and ideology as discerned through the character, Dato‟ Hamid

On the Modelling of the Mobile WiMAX (IEEE 802.16e) Uplink Scheduler

Abstract: Packet scheduling has drawn a great deal of attention in the field of wireless networks as it plays an important role in distributing shared resources in a network. The process involves allocating the bandwidth among users and determining their transmission order. In this paper an uplink (UL) scheduling algorithm for the Mobile Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) network based on the cyclic polling model is proposed. The model in this study consists of five queues (UGS, ertPS, rtPS, nrtPS, and BE) visited by a single server. A threshold policy is imposed to the nrtPS queue to ensure that the delay constraint of real time traffic (UGS, ertPS, and rtPS) is not violated making this approach original in comparison to the existing contributions. A mathematical model is formulated for the weighted sum of the mean waiting time of each individual queues based on the pseudo-conservation law. The results of the analysis are useful in obtaining or testing approximation for individual mean waiting time especially when queues are asymmetric (where each queue may have different stochastic characteristic such as arrival rate and service time distribution) and when their number is large (more than 2 queues).

Redundancy Detection and Removal Tool for Transparent Mamdani Systems

Abstract: In Mamdani systems, redundancy of fuzzy rule bases that derives from extensive sharing of a limited number of output membership functions among the rules, is often an overlooked property. In current study, means for detection and removal of such kind redundancy have been developed. Our experiments with case studies collected from literature and Mackey-Glass time series prediction models show error-free rule base reduction by 30-60% that partially cures the curse of dimensionality problem characteristic to fuzzy systems.

Angular distribution of Cu ions by Nd:YAG laser using faraday cups

Abstract: The infrared radiation from Nd:YAG laser (1604 nm, 8ns, 125mJ, 15.6MW) is focused by IR lens (20cm) to irradiate Cu (99.99%) target in air. The angular distribution and arrival of ions are collected by Faraday Cups (FC). For anisotropic investigation, the cups are arranged at different positions (5cm and 10cm) from the target at different angles (5°, 30°, 45°, 60° and 90°) with respect to the normal on target surface. Faraday Cups are biased at -100V and the ion current signals are obtained on Tektronix TDS 3054B Digital Storage oscilloscope (500 MHz) through integrated circuit. The debris that deposited on FC is also characterized by SEM and EDX analysis. Metallurgical analysis of exposed FC provides evidences of Cu material on Faraday's cup. Mass removal rate for copper target is also calculated. Maximum arrival rate of ions is observed at angle 5° and minimum ions flux is at angle 90° to normal on the target surface. The results show the plume is peaked strongly in forward direction. The laser matter interaction is good for the laser based ion sources generation, which can produce a collimated beam of ions because of forward peaking.

A multi-rate routing protocol with connection entropy for mobile ad hoc networks

Abstract: In Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs), when mobile nodes move to another location, the relative distance of communicating nodes will directly affects the data rate of transmission The further distance between two communicating nodes is, the lower rate that they can use for transferring data The connection certainty of a link also changes because a node may move closer or far away out of communication range of other nodes Taking into account those issues, this paper proposes a new routing metric for MANETs The new metric consider both link weight and route stability that be defined in relation with connection entropy The problem of determining the best route is subsequently formulated as the constrained minimization of an object function formed as a linear combination of the link weight and and the uncertainty of connection of that link The simulation results show that proposed routing metric improves end to end throughput and reduces the percentage of link breakage and route reparation

System extension solution based on HLA simulation in combination with Web services

Abstract: Aiming at the existed system HLA reuse and interoperation insufficiency, a system extension strategy was thought out that HLA simulation in combination with WEB services. The difficulties and the key techniques on the system extension were analyzed. The scheme of HLA simulation in combination with WEB services for system extension was given in detail. HLA interface was specified and improved. Extending RTI communication layer promotes the ability of interconnect and reuse by use of Web services. Finally, simulation framework was constructed.

Reservation Based Reliability Control in Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract: This paper presents a reservation based reliability control protocol for wireless sensor networks having the applications that demand in-order and 100\% delivery of the generated packets. Unlike earlier works the proposed reliability control avoids channel contention and collision problem during retransmission, and ensures guaranteed packet delivery. Moreover, the reservation based retransmission can ensure the maximum achievable channel capacity at each hop taking the interference into account. The performances are measured through extensive simulations which establish the efficiency of proposed work in terms of delivery ratio and delay.