AKS

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Femicide has been the system of dowry

The practice of Female Foeticide has been a centuries-old practice in rural India, so much so that it has become more predominant in the rural parts of India. However, the practice of femicide, in which an unborn baby is aborted or killed at birth simply because it is not a boy, is increasingly spreading from India’s poor and rural classes to affluent urban families. Selection of the sex of the foetus is a combination of personal choices, family issues, social, ethical, medical and even legal reasons.

The Indian girl child is part of the society, which idolizes sons. This stems from the deep rooted ancient concept of having a son to carry on with the name and tradition of the family. Right from childhood, girls are made to accept the norms of patriarchal and male dominated society and they thus grow up accepting themselves to be inferior to boys. It is unfortunate that our society considers ‘male’ as the bread winner for the family, and therefore a more valuable asset than a girl child, who is looked upon as a liability in the family. Another key reason for femicide has been the system of dowry, prevalent in rural as well as now increasingly in urban India. Since most of the Indian population is at the poverty level, it is not possible to sustain a girl child because of the prevailing system.

The darker side of the problem arises from the want to get rid of the baby girl by the way of abortion. This follows from abortion been legalized by the government of India in 1971, leaving no room for debate about the necessity for the same. There can be no argument about the necessity to terminate pregnancy for medical reasons like congenital abnormalities and X-linked disorders. The fact that it has a genesis in the prenatal determination of sex is emphasized by the urban predominance due to availability of such facilities. Sex Determination Techniques which is a Pre-natal Diagnostic Technique is used for predicting the sex of an unborn offspring after conception preferably in the first four months of pregnancy. Such techniques are making inroads in the rural areas, whereby tilting the balance in favour of males by the way of female foeticide.

The problem stands at a very thin dividing line between the medical reasons for termination of pregnancy and female foeticide based on antenatal sex determination. Selective abortions of the female foetuses in the 70s and 80s became common and led to severe disturbances in the male-female ratio over a period of time. India is one of the few countries where the overall sex ratio has been unfavourable to females. According to population survey reports, the sex ratio which was 972 females per 1000 males in 1901 was 933 females to 1000 males in 2001. The disparity in the ratio was more severe in Delhi, Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab and Chandigarh. The child sex ratio (CSR) in India has also been indicative of a negative trend towards girl child for decades now. The sharp decline in CSR from 945 in 1991 to 927 in 2001 as brought forth by the 2001 census hit the public eye. Sociologists have speculated that such an imbalance would lead to greater incidence of rape, sharing of women within and outside wedlock, abductions, and in genital, in reducing women's freedom and mobility.

While there exists no quick and easy solution to the problem, it is possible to reduce gender inequality, which lies at the core offemicide. The first critical step is to challenge the patriarchal attitudes that applaud boys and undermine girls, and to create a culture that celebrates both the genders equally. More so, the medical fraternity can do a lot of service by preventing the practice of female foeticide.

Female foeticide in India

Eligible Jat boys from Haryana travel 3,000 km across the country to find themselves a bride. With increasingly fewer girls in Haryana, they are seeking brides from as far away as Kerala as the only way to change their single status.

The girls have not vanished overnight. Decades of sex determination tests and female foeticide that has acquired genocide proportions are finally catching up with states in India.

This is only the tip of the demographic and social problems confronting India in the coming years. Skewed sex ratios have moved beyond the states of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. With news of increasing number of female foetuses being aborted from Orissa to Bangalore there is ample evidence to suggest that the next census will reveal a further fall in child sex ratios throughout the country.

The decline in child sex ratio in India is evident by comparing the census figures. In 1991, the figure was 947 girls to 1000 boys. Ten years later it had fallen to 927 girls for 1000 boys.

Since 1991, 80% of districts in India have recorded a declining sex ratio with the state of Punjab being the worst.

States like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana have recorded a more than 50 point decline in the child sex ratio in this period.

Despite these horrific numbers, foetal sex determination and sex selective abortion by unethical medical professionals has today grown into a Rs. 1,000 crore industry (US$ 244 million). Social discrimination against women, already entrenched in Indian society, has been spurred on by technological developments that today allow mobile sex selection clinics to drive into almost any village or neighbourhood unchecked.

The PCPNDT Act 1994 (Preconception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques Act) was modified in 2003 to target the medical profession - the ‘supply side’ of the practice of sex selection. However non implementation of the Act has been the biggest failing of the campaign against sex selection

According to the latest data available till May 2006, as many as 22 out of 35 states in India had not reported a single case of violation of the act since it came into force. Delhi reported the largest number of violations – 76 out of which 69 were cases of non registration of birth! Punjab had 67 cases and Gujarat 57 cases.

But the battle rages on.

In a recent landmark judgment the Mumbai High Court upheld an amendment to the PCPNDT Act banning sex selection treatment. The Court pronounced that pre natal sex determination would be as good as female foeticide. Pre-conception sex determination violated a woman’s right to live and was against the Constitution, it said.

While the boys from Haryana may have found a temporary solution to the problem of missing brides, experts warn that the demographic crisis will lead to increasing sexual violence and abuse against women and female children, trafficking, increasing number of child marriages, increasing maternal deaths due to abortions and early marriages and increase in practices like polyandry.

There have been only two convictions -- a fine of 300 rupees ($7) and another fine of 4,000 rupees ($98) -- from over 400 cases lodged under the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Act.

Bringing about changes in the demand for sex determination is a long process and has to be tackled through women’s education and empowerment including the right to property and land rights. States in the North East and in Kerala where women have these rights show a comparatively better sex ratio.

The battle against sex selection has proved to be long drawn out. But some signs are visible that demonstrate that the fight can be won.

Lakhanpal, a small village in Punjab has turned the tide of male births for the first time. In a state that has the lowest sex ratio in the country, the village boasts of 1,400 girls for every 1000 boys.

Arvind Kumar, the collector of Hyderabad district has illustrated the power of the Act. Hyderabad had the lowest child sex ratio (0-6 years) in Andhra Pradesh. After taking over in 2004 he tracked down all 389 diagnostic clinics in the city and took action. 361 ultrasound scan centres were issued notices for non compliance with the PNDT Act.

Licenses of 91 centres were cancelled. 83 machines were seized and 71 released after an undertaking and fine. Three suppliers were prosecuted for supplying machines to clinics with no registration licenses.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

love

Love is . . . .......Being happy for the other person when they are happy, Being sad for the person when they are sad, Being together in good times, And being together in bad times.
LOVE IS THE SOURCE OF STRENGTH.

Love is . . . Being honest with yourself at all times, Being honest with the other person at all times, Telling, listening, respecting the truth, And never pretending.
LOVE IS THE SOURCE OF REALITY.

Love is . . . An understanding so complete that you feel as if you are a part of the other person, Accepting the other person just the way they are, And not trying to change them to be something else.
LOVE IS THE SOURCE OF UNITY.

Love is . . . The freedom to pursue your own desires while sharing your experiences with the other person, The growth of one individual alongside of and together with the growth of another individual.

LOVE IS THE SOURCE OF SUCCESS.
Love is . . . The excitement of planning things together, The excitement of doing things together.

LOVE IS THE SOURCE OF THE FUTURE.

Love is . . . The fury of the storm, The calm in the rainbow.

LOVE IS THE SOURCE OF PASSION.

Love is . . . Giving and taking in a daily situation, Being patient with each other's needs and desires.

LOVE IS THE SOURCE OF SHARING.

Love is . . . Knowing that the other person will always be with you regardless of what happens, Missing the other person when they are away but remaining near in heart at all times.

LOVE IS THE SOURCE OF SECURITY.
LOVE IS . . . THE SOURCE OF LIFE!

Life

Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something in them
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words but great deeds.
To live in faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

First Feel

Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved nd the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Astronomers peer into stellar sandstorms

An international team of astronomers has found a potential explanation of how red-giant stars loose the bulk of their mass towards the end of their lives – a process currently not fully understood. Using new observational techniques, the researchers looked at the dust shells surrounding these dying stars, which gave them information about what causes the powerful "superwind" of dust grains that leads stars to lose their mass. Much of this star dust comprises of silicates, which go on to form planets such as the Earth.

An artist's impression of the sandstorm surrounding one of the red-giant stars observed.

Celestial lifestyles

Towards the end of their lives, intermediate-mass stars – stars with masses ranging from 0.6–10 solar masses – eject the bulk of their outer envelope in a slow, dense wind. This "superwind" occurs over a period of 10,000 years, is a 100 million times stronger than the solar wind and removes almost half the mass of the star, leaving behind a fading stellar remnant.

The problem with this model, though, is explaining just how so much mass is lost in the "superwind". This is because it is difficult to observe gas and dust that is very close to its parent star. Current theory suggests that the "superwinds" occur because of the acceleration of the minute dust grains in the shells surrounding the stars. These grains are said to absorb starlight, which transfers momentum to them and causes the dust to blow away from the star. The problem with this model is that at the grain size estimated, light from the star would cause the dust to sublimate before it could be pushed away.

Unmasking stellar dust

In the new work published in Nature, the team, led by Barnaby Norris from the University of Sydney, Australia, looked at three red-giant stars and their dust shells using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope in Chile. The researchers used a technique known as "aperture-masking polarimetric interferometry" to look at the red giants plus other dust-free stars to verify their detection methods. Team member Albert Zijlstra, of Manchester University's Jodrell Bank Observatory in the UK, explains that using an "aperture mask" inside an infrared instrument along with a polarimeter is a combination that had not been previously used for this purpose. "The aperture mask turns a single telescope into a collection of much smaller telescopes, which can then be used as an interferometer. This gives excellent, reproducible image quality at the cost of reduced sensitivity," he explains. Using the observed data, the team developed a model to determine the dust-shell radius and the amount of light scattered by the shell at each wavelength.

A simulated image produced from the data of the dust shell around the red-giant star W Hydrae, shown in two polarizations of light: horizontal and vertical. This is equivalent to viewing the dust shell through polarized sunglasses, with the glasses held horizontally (left image) and vertically (right image). The image of the star in the centre of the dust shell is not from these observations and is for illustrative purposes only. The Sun (a single dot) is included for scale.

Closer and bigger

The researchers found that the dust exists a lot closer to the stars than previously thought – less than two stellar radii. They also found that the grains are much larger in size than expected, being almost a micrometre across or about 300 nm in radius – this is quite large for stellar-wind particles. At these sizes, the grains are transparent to starlight, and so would not be sublimated by the intense radiation from the light. Although transparency suggests that the grains would again not be propelled away to form the wind, the researchers say that the acceleration occurs as a result of photon scattering rather than absorption. These large grains are driven out at speeds of 10 km s^–1, creating a virtual "stellar sandstorm".

How to hide from a magnetic field

Researchers in Europe have built a magnetic cloak that, in theory, is reasonably practical to manufacture. An object concealed by the new cloak, the researchers claim, is magnetically undetectable, while the cloak itself is made from materials available in many physics labs the world over. This means that it is, in principle, the first cloak that should be reasonably practical to manufacture.

Cloaks and shields

In 2011 Alvaro Sanchez and colleagues at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain, developed a theory for a type of magnetic cloak they called an "antimagnet" that would have two crucial properties. One is that any magnetic field created within the cloak would not leak outside the cloaked region and the other is that the cloak and the cloaked region would be undetectable by an external magnetic field; that is, the field would not be distorted by the cloak. Now, Sanchez along with Fedor Gömöry and colleagues from the Slovak Academy of Sciences, has designed and demonstrated a modified version of the cloak proposed last year.

The new cloak is a simple bi-layer cloak made up of two common materials – an inner superconducting layer made up of a high-temperature superconducting tape and an outer ferromagnetic layer composed of a few turns of a thick FeNiCr commercial alloy sheet. "The cloak we proposed last year was more of an ideal cloak," explains Sanchez. "But it was complicated with 10 layers and included superconducting plates. This new cloak, while not perfect, is a much simpler design for achieving similar results using a static uniform magnetic field." He adds that it is fair to say that this is the first cloak that is an exact cloak that can be feasibly implemented in practice.

The superconducting layer on its own repels the magnetic field, while a ferromagnetic layer on its own attracts the magnetic field lines; so both independent layers distort the field. The cloak is the accurate combination of the two layers, determined by a specific radius, which adjusts for the permittivity (μ) such that there is no external field distortion at all. This radius is calculated using Maxwell equations. "It is quite amazing that almost 160 years after Maxwell equations were first developed, we are still finding new solutions based solely on them!" says Sanchez.

Artist's impression of how the magnetic cloak works. The ferromagnet attracts magnetic field lines (left), the superconductor repels magnetic field lines (centre), and the superconductor-ferromagnetic bilayer cloaks a magnetic field (right). The result is that an object inside the cloak is magnetically undetectable.

Perfection problems

Sanchez tells physicsworld.com that the entire team is highly inspired by the initial work on building invisibility cloaks using transformation optics carried out by John Pendry and colleagues at Imperial College London since 2006. "There are generally two ways of achieving a cloak – either using transformation optics or using plasmonics. The problem with the first is that, while it is theoretically the perfect cloak, it is nearly impossible to physically create. With plasmonics, while the materials are available, you get a slight shadowing or scattering effect, not a complete cloak at all. This is the first time that you get both using commercially viable materials," Sanchez explains.

Sanchez points out that an advantage in developing a cloak for a static magnetic field is that, for such a field, the magnetic and electric effects decouple and the researchers only have to consider the magnetic permeability. The team tested its cloak using a static field of 40 mT – which is greater than the Earth's magnetic field. Currently, the cloak has been built on a small but reasonable scale – 12.5 × 12 mm. Sanchez explains that another advantage is that, for a static magnetic field, the cloak can work on any length scale – from microns to metres – as there is no intrinsic cut-off, unlike other cloaks that work at fixed wavelengths.

Because the cloak is capable of running under relatively strong magnetic fields and relatively warm liquid-nitrogen temperatures, and as it is made from commercially available materials, it could be readily put to practical use, the researchers say. The team is also looking at other methods to manipulate and control magnetic fields into different "shapes", for purposes other than cloaking, in the coming months

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Transformer

Definition

A transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another through inductively coupled conductors—the transformer's coils.

A varying current in the first or primary winding creates a varying magnetic flux in the transformer's core, and thus a varying magnetic field through the secondary winding.

This varying magnetic field inducesa varying electromotive force (EMF)or voltage in the secondary winding. This effect is called mutual induction.

The phenomenon of electromagnetic induction was discovered independently by Michael Faradayand Joseph Henryin 1831. However, Faraday was the first to publish the results of his experiments and thus receive credit for the discovery.

Faraday's experiments including winding a pair of coils around an iron ring, thus creating the first toroidal closed-core transformer.

The first type of transformer to see wide use was the induction coil, invented by Rev. Nicholas Callan of Maynooth College, Ireland in 1836. He was one of the first researchers to realize that the more turns the secondary winding has in relation to the primary winding, the larger the increase in EMF.

The Ideal Transformer

A lossless device with an input winding and an output winding.

The transformer has Np turns of wire on its primary side and Ns turns of wire on its secondary sides. The relationship between the primary and secondary voltage is as follows:

The relationship between primary and secondary current is: Np ip (t) = Ns is (t)

Note that since both type of relations gives a constant ratio, hence the transformer only changes value of the magnitude of current and voltage. Phase angles are not affected.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

If you ever need me- I promise I'll always be there for you!!

If ever you need a helping hand, just reach out and touch mine. If ever you're scared or afraid, I'll be right by your side. If ever you need words of advice, I'll give you the best I have. If ever you're sad and depressed, I'll try to brighten your day. If ever you need a shoulder to cry on, I have two, waiting here for you. If ever you simply need to talk, I promise I'll sit and listen. Whatever the reason, whatever you're searching for, whatever you need.....................................................................................................................................

I promise I'll always be there for you!!

Miss you, Love you forever & ever

Every day I go about, Doing the things I do,Then all of a sudden I remember, Somewhere out there is you.

Without you I feel so hollow, Its a feeling hard to share Because of your love I miss This pain is hard to bear, Is there no way we'll meet again, even if by chance? Will I be left to wonder, Only if I could just have a glance?

You're always on my mind now, And yes, always in my heart, But, it just seemed to be that way, Right from the very start, I'm sorry I can't reveal to you Just what you mean to me I'd never want to hurt you If my love you can't see

This emotion comes from deep within, Yes, my soul to bare, If only I could see you again, Here or, ANYWHERE………..

Miss you, Love you forever & ever

You will always have a friend in me

People go everyday not knowing what they may lose, Not knowing if that day someone will bring them bad news. I’ve known many in my life that have been through heartache. Scared from the nightmare they may never awake. I know you have been through a lot and I am here to hold your hand .Through all the trials life has in store, by your side I shall stand .Although I can’t erase the scars, I hope to help them fade
Don’t forget all the good memories, all the smiles you have made .I know it’s hard to say goodbye, to finally let them go. Missing them and praying that they know. I know it’s hard to lose someone to know they are no longer here .To wake every morning having to face a terrible new fear. I promise to lift you up whenever you are down. I will place a smile on your face whenever there’s a frown. I love you unconditionally you are my very best friend. All the pieces to your broken heart I will do my best to mend. Lives are lost daily, I know it isn’t fair. Just know you will always have someone that truly cares. One day you will join them in heaven, and then you’ll finally see. That through all this time you’ll always have a friend in me……………..

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Never Without Love

My life was over, Or so it had seemed, I said my goodbyes, And I silently screamed.

I knew it was wrong, But it just felt so right, When sadness creeps in, It puts up a fight.

I went into the kitchen, I looked all around, I saw what I needed, My heart started to pound.

I tested the edge, As I picked up the knife, I placed it over my wrist, As I went over my life.

I had no one to leave, Nobody who cared, A small little girl,Could certainly be spared.

The phone started to ring, And I suddenly knew, I don't really know how, But it had to be you.

I slowly walked over, And picked up the phone, In that moment I'd never felt more alone.

You begged me to stop, To not do what I would, I said nothing at all, I don't think that I could.

You cried and you pleaded, And I didn't know how, I had missed it so long,But I finally saw now.

You may think life is hopeless, That there's no help from above, But as long as you have friends, You'll always have love.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

BASICS OF HEAT TRANSFER

Difference between heat and temperature

In describing heat transfer problems, we often make the mistake of interchangeably using
the terms heat and temperature. Actually, there is a distinct difference between the two.
Temperature is a measure of the amount of energy possessed by the molecules of a
substance. It is a relative measure of how hot or cold a substance is and can be used to
predict the direction of heat transfer. The usual symbol for temperature is T. The scales for
measuring temperature in SI units are the Celsius and Kelvin temperature scales. On the
other hand, heat is energy in transit. The transfer of energy as heat occurs at the molecular
level as a result of a temperature difference. The usual symbol for heat is Q. Common units
for measuring heat are the Joule and calorie in the SI system.

What is Heat Transfer?

“Energy in transit due to temperature difference.”

Difference between thermodynamics and heat transfer

Thermodynamics tells us:
• how much heat is transferred (δQ)
• how much work is done (δW)
• final state of the system
Heat transfer tells us:
• how (with what modes) δQ is transferred
• at what rate δQ is transferred
• temperature distribution inside the body

AKS: Selecting Your Welding Process

AKS: Selecting Your Welding Process: Sure, you know you have a weld to make. . .that's the easy part. . . but you need to start by examining your application.. Everybody's job ...

Saint - Venant's Principle

Consider a slender bar with point loads at its ends as shown in above fig. The normal stress distribution across sections located at distances b/4 and b from one and of the bar is represented in the figure. It is found from figure 1.4 that the stress varies appreciably across the cross section in the immediate vicinity of the application of loads. The points very near the application of the loads experience a larger stress value whereas, the points far away from it on the same section has lower stress value. The variation of stress across the cross section is negligible when the section considered is far away, about equal to the width of the bar, from the application of point loads. Thus, except in the immediate vicinity of the points where the load is applied, the stress distribution may be assumed to be uniform and is independent of the mode of application of loads. This principle is called Saint-Venant's principle.

Normal Stress

When a structural member is under load, predicting its ability to withstand that load is not possible merely from the reaction force in the member. It depends upon the internal force, cross sectional area of the element and its material properties. Thus, a quantity that gives the ratio of the internal force to the cross sectional area will define the ability of the material in with standing the loads in a better way. That quantity, i.e., the intensity of force distributed over the given area or simply the force per unit area is called the stress.

σ= P/A ..........................................1.1

In SI units, force is expressed in newtons (N) and area in square meters. Consequently, the stress has units of newtons per square meter (N/m²) or Pascals (Pa). In above figure , the stresses are acting normal to the section XX that is perpendicular to the axis of the bar. These stresses are called normal stresses. The stress defined in equation 1.1 is obtained by dividing the force by the cross sectional area and hence it represents the average value of the stress over the entire cross section.

Consider a small area ∆A on the cross section with the force acting on it ∆F as shown in above figure . Let the area contain a point C. Now, the stress at the point C can be defined as,

σ = lim ∆F/∆A .............................1.2

A-->0

The average stress values obtained using equation 1.1 and the stress value at a point from equation 1.2 may not be the same for all cross sections and for all loading conditions.