C77: Mathematics of Experimentation

Work done at: UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI,
University Road, Karachi 75270, Pakistan

Kamal SA, National Conference on
Physics and the World of Today, in
memory of Prof. Dr. Muhammed Rafi and
Prof. Dr. Muhammed Razi Hussain,
National Center for Physics and Depart-
ment of Physics, University of Karachi,
2009, abstract # 1, pp 9-10 (Prof. Dr.
Muhammed Rafi and Prof. Dr. Muhammed
Razi Hussain memorial lecture)

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This paper started with the history of great scientific experiments, which served to develop the content of a theory (decompose a simple phenomenon, demonstrate underlying unity within apparent variety, find hidden mechanism of a known effect, provide existence evidence), elaborate the formal aspects of method (decide between rival hypotheses, exploit an accident, explore the characteristics of a naturally-occurring process, find the form of a law, inductively, interpret null results, use models to simulate processes) and establish techniques (determine accuracy and care in manipulation, show power and versatility of apparatus), and, then, covered the significance of proper experimental design (using mathematical and statistical tools) in an experimental study. A number of papers submitted in high-impact journals do not get accepted because they lack proper experimental strategy. The main reasons of inefficient experiments (resulting in excessive cost or time delay in reaching a decision) and poor experiments (resulting in wrong decisions) are bad engineering decisions by setting vague objectives for projects, inappropriate statistics courses taught in the colleges and in the universities, incorrect decisions based on insufficient data and lack of training in the strategy of experimenting. The paper, also, dealt with the concepts of ‘calibration’ (converting undesired outputs to desired outputs using a functional relationship, preferably linear, between the two sets of outputs), ‘synchronization’, ‘sensitivity’, ‘reliability’ and ‘tolerance’ as well as types of errors and ways to deal with them. When one handles raw data similarities are shown in mean (measure of central tendency) and differences in deviation (measure of dispersion). An appropriate measure of dispersion to use is standard deviation, when the data are normally distributed (large sample size).
If that is not the case, one should employ mean deviation. Significance of accuracy (A), precision (P)

[formulae modified after our previous work — s_R is obtained upon replacing arithmetic mean by the reference value in the expression of s (standard deviation)], calibration, reproducibility, sensitivity and specificity (new concepts of relative sensitivity and relative specificity were presented) in our experimental work were highlighted. It was suggested that Physics Laboratory Course might be used to inculcate creative thinking and critical analysis in students and the course might become the first training ground of an experimental-research physicist, if the experiments encouraged unconventional thinking. The experiments discussed included (a) study of variation of intensity with distance from multiple sources (point, line, laser) using photocell, (b) appearance (disappearance) of Newton’s rings if plano-convex lens was moved away from (towards) the sodium light source (study of fringe movement using edge-based algorithm to be included for advanced undergraduate laboratory) and (c) height and curvature maps of solid objects (cylinder, sphere, cone, wedge) using moiré fringe topography and rasterstereography (edge-based moiré and edge-based raster to quantify infinitesimal movements might be suitable for graduate laboratory). This approach of close coördination between a theorist and an experimentalist, also, sets objectives for the former to model physical phenomena to levels of accuracy compatible with experimental techniques available at that epoch of time. This lecture is dedicated to the loving memory of Prof. Dr. Muhammed Rafi and Prof. Dr. Muhammed Razi Hussain, both of them taught me during my undergraduate studies. The topic was chosen by the speaker because both Prof. Rafi and Prof. Hussain were experimental physicists. Abstract PDF Paper PDF

C76: Biomedical Applications of 3-D Optical Imaging and Image Processing

Work done at: UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI, University Road, Karachi 75270, Pakistan

Kamal SA, the Thirty-Fourth International Nathiagali Summer College on Physics and Contemporary Needs, Activity III: Biophotonics, Photodynamics and Microscopy, National Center for Physics, Islamabad, Pakistan, 2009

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This paper covered the activities of bioimging group of University of Karachi spanning over a period of 30 years, focusing on non-ionizing, non-invasive, non-contact, photogrammetric techniques — moiré fringe topography and rastersterography, which provided permanent records height (third dimension) and curvature maps, respectively, of the human subject/test object under study (Figures 1 and 2). The work started in 1979 by developing a shadow-type-moiré system for the detection of scoliosis. The author developed methods to determine the Cobb angle from measurements performed on moiré topographs (and its generalization in 3-D, the Asr Angle). In the context of 3-D-static model of the human spinal column (put forward by author in 1982, complete version published in 1996), profile of spinal column in three dimensions was generated by moiré photograph of back, used to study posture, providing insight into the anatomical basis of back pain. A simultaneous recording from moiré and raster, using selective optical filtering, gave height and curvature maps of spinal column (thus generating 3-D profile of spinal column) in each phase of human gait (developed in 1996), which provided clues to many orthopedic and neurological disorders. A 3-D-dynamic model related spinal column in each phase to the next through edge-based algorithm. Edge-based moiré and edge-based raster allowed studies of changes in height and curvature maps of human back during a gait cycle. In the area of sports-performance analysis, unwanted motion in the sagittal plane, by a gymnast performing on vault, could be monitored using edge-based moiré. In the discipline of speech therapy, movements and curvatures of lips and mouth muscles could be studied using edge-based moiré and raster. In the field of biometrics and security technologies, a multi-level screening system was proposed (in 2008) to establish identity with a high level of sensitivity (top level) and specificity (bottom level) employing dynamic stereophotogrammetric techniques. These techniques might, also, be utilized to study 3-D structure of macromolecules, significant in biology, by making their metallic replica. Preliminary work was done on the flagella of salmonella typhus at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (New York). Abstract PDF

C75: Avoiding Infinities from the Lorentz and the Poincaré Transformations
Work done at: UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI, UniversityRoad, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
Kamal SA, the Fourth Symposium on Computational Complexities, Innovations and Solutions, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbotabad, NWFP, Pakistan, 2009, p 16 (invited paper) — nominated by Vice Chancellor, University of Karachi
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From the historical point-of-view, this paper gave history of conceptual development of relativity as well as mathematical formulation of Lorentz transformations. Contrary to the popular belief, giving credit of all contributions in special relativity to Albert Einstein, the paper put into perspective the fundamental conceptual contributions of Muslim scientists, e. g., space and time, relative and absolute, long before, Einstein presented his theory. One year before the publication of Einstein’s paper, Poincaré (1904) enunciated the principle of relativity. Also, complete mathematical framework was available through works of Voigt (1887) and Lorentz (1904). In his paper, ‘Zur Electrodynamik bewegter Korper’ (On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies), published in 1905, Albert Einstein combined these existing conceptual and mathematical formulations into an integrated and a unified approach, without giving reference to these contributions. Herman Minkowski formulated the relativity theory in terms of a four-dimensional-vector-field formulation. On the technical side, the paper focused on the infinities appearing in the Lorentz and the Poincaré transformations of energy and momentum, which caused problems in the formulation of field theories. An attempt was made to avoid these infinities by scaling of coördinates. A practical example was given by applying these scaled-Lorentz transformations to obtain expression of Ohm’s law for relativistically-streaming plasmas containing dyons (particles possessing both the electric and the magnetic charges). This result may find applicability in computational fluid dynamics. Abstract PDF Paper PDF

C74: Gauss’ Law: Choice of the Gaussian Surface and Form of the Electric-Field Vector
Work done at: UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI, University Road, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
Kamal SA, Workshop on Physics, Government College, Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan, 2009 (invited paper)
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Gauss’ law is one of the fundamental laws of electromagnetism, which is, primarily, used to determine the electric-field vector, if the system possesses certain symmetries. This is possible, provided a proper gaussian surface is selected, according to the following criteria:

a)	Field point (where the electric-field vector needs to be determined) must lie on the gaussian surface.
b)	It should be a closed surface (well-defined interior and exterior).
c)	It could be a real (coinciding with a physical boundary) or an imaginary surface.
d)	It should be chosen considering symmetries of the system, as suggested by strong Noether’s theorem.
e)	Direction of the electric-field vector should either be tangential or normal to any chosen section of surface.
f)	Magnitude of the electric-field vector should be constant throughout each section of surface, allowing one to take it outside the integral.

Examples were worked out for computing electric fields generated by (i) an infinite plane charge sheet, with constant surface-charge density and (ii) an infinite line charge, with constant line-charge density, with special emphasis to determine the form of electric-field vector. Similarities and differences of electricity and magnetism as well as electricity and gravitation were highlighted. An expression of Gauss’ law for gravitation was presented and illustrated with computation of gravitational field inside and outside earth. In the context of Ampéré circuital law, line integral of magnetic flux density is to be computed along a closed curve. Criteria for choosing this
curve, to most efficiently determine the magnetic field, were, also, be mentioned. Abstract PDF Paper PDF

C73: The Integrated Educational System: A Pre-University Educational System for the Third Millennium

Work done at: UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI, University Road, Karachi 75270, Pakistan

Kamal SA, the Sindh Educational Conference, the Jamia Millia Government College of Education, Karachi, Pakistan, 2009 (keynote lecture)

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“The Integrated Educational System” was described, which aimed to cultivate habits of creative thinking and critical analysis by providing highly-motivated students sufficient depth as well as adequate breadth of the core and the related subjects so that they could make informed, independent decisions under stressful situations. The curriculum integrates various aspects of curriculum development (why to teach – philosophy; what to teach – contents; how to teach – pedagogical techniques) in such way that the student is educated to become a manager of resources of the universe (not a thief) and should know relationship with Allah, self and environment What to learn is the main factor in TRAINING. A trained person “knows” the techniques, which can be repeated under standard situations. How to learn is the essence of EDUCATION. An educated person “knows”, “can explain” and “can apply” the concepts and the techniques. Emphasis is placed on concept building (through debates, discussion sessions, activities) and technique developing (smart approaches to problem solving). Attempts of patchwork from foreign curricula have failed many times, because they do not take into account of the complete picture. It is, therefore, mandatory to prepare an integrated curriculum. The curriculum needs to be prepared in the following stages:

a)	Outline preparation (to link with knowledge obtained in other disciplines and a systematic planning of gradual building-up of concepts and problem-solving skills, the chart contains the level, the concept, the activity/the experiment to reinforce this concept, the reference and the philosophy behind teaching this concept)
b)	Textbook, workbook and lab manual preparation
c)	Video lecture and demonstration series
d)	Interactive software series
e)	Testing and evaluation

The curriculum spanning over the entire school period (KG - Intermediate Level) is divided into three disciplines: Sciences, Liberal Arts, Health and Growth. Equal emphasis is given to moral upbringing, intellectual upbringing and physical upbringing. Yearly updated textbooks/workbooks coupled with the latest teaching and evaluation techniques promise to make the students “Muslims” to be able to tackle the challenges of this Information Age. Teachers'-training programs and parents'-education programs reinforcing the concepts and elaborating the pedagogical skills must accompany the curriculum outline. Evaluation and appraisal of this system is based on specially-designed developmental examinations of the child, written examinations, projects, quizzes, parental comments, teachers' suggestions and expert review of videotaped lessons. The curriculum must prepare the students to enter BS programs of top-ranking universities of the world, for example, Cambridge, Harvard, MIT, by being properly interfaced with the university curricula. Abstract PDF Paper PDF

2008

C72: The Multi-Stage Lambert Scheme for Steering a Satellite-Launch Vehicle (SLV)
Work done at: UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI, University Road, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
Kamal SA, Proceedings of the Twelfth IEEE International Multitopic Conference (IEEE INMIC 2008), Edited by Anis MK, Khan MK, Zaidi SJH, Bahria University, Karachi, Pakistan, 2008, pp 294-300 (invited paper)
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The determination of an orbit, having a specified transfer time (time-of-flight) and connecting two position vectors, frequently referred to as the Lambert problem, is fundamental in astrodynamics. Of the many techniques existing for solving this two-body, two-point, time-constrained orbital boundary-value problem, Gauss' and Lagrange's methods were combined to obtain an elegant algorithm based on Battin's work. This algorithm included detection of cross-range error. A variable TYPE, introduced in the transfer-time equation, was flipped, to generate the inverse-Lambert scheme. In this paper, an innovative adaptive scheme was presented, which was
called “the Multi-Stage-Lambert Scheme”. This scheme proposed a design of autopilot, which achieved the pre-decided destination position and velocity vectors for a multi-stage rocket, when each stage was detached from the main vehicle after it burned out, completely. Paper PDF

C71: Role of Mathematics in the Sports Sciences and Technologies

Work done at: UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI, University Road, Karachi 75270, Pakistan

Kamal SA, the Thirty-Fifth All Pakistan Science Conference, University of Karachi, 2008, abstract # 72, p 75; Karachi University Journal of Sciernce 36(1&2), 2008, 35

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With the competitive and the commercial nature of sports, as a means to promote international coöperation, collaboration and manage conflicts, the nations, having superiority in sciences and technologies, are investing in sports and health sciences and technologies. Mathematics plays a vital role in developing and improving sports activities. This paper discussed 3 areas of application (sports medicine, kinesiology and sports-performance analysis), for which the infrastructure, the facilities and the human resources are available at University of Karachi, and students are engaged in graduate course work and research. In the area of sports medicine, our group has developed indigenous instruments and methods for measurement of height, weight, mid-upper-arm circumference and shoulder width, employing ideas from mathematics, physics and civil engineering, with mathematical and statistical models for reliability of data. To test these instruments and techniques, our team collected data on over 2500 children between the ages of 5-11 years. Our height-measurement system was adapted by Tawana Pakistan team. Using techniques of numerical analysis, methods were developed to generate detailed growth profile of an athletic child, indicating stunting and wasting/obesity as well as a prediction of adult height and weight, which became very important, when one selected athletes to train them as basketball players, wrestlers or gymnasts. Skeletal examination of school athlete, with a focus on detection of trunk deformities, in particular scoliosis, must be mandatory in the age range 8-11 years. In the Syed Firdous Growth and Imaging Laboratory a light-weight, full body moiré fringe topography set-up, developed locally, is being used to screen
for trunk deformities (scoliosis, kyphosis and lordosis). The author has developed methods to determine Cobb angle from measurements performed on moiré topographs (and its generalization in 3-D, the Asr Angle). Heart
size and condition were determined, without expensive monitoring equipment, using geometric model of heart put forward by author in 2002. In the area of kinesiology, moiré fringe topography and rasterstereography are used
to study postures and gaits of athletes. Moiré fringe topography and rasterstereography are (non-contact and non-invasive) stereophotogrammteric techniques, which provide 3-D information in terms of height and curvature maps of the study surface. These techniques do not involve ionizing radiations, e.g., X rays, posing no risk to althletes. In the context of 3-D-static model of the human spinal column (put forward by author in 1982, complete version published in 1996), profile of spinal column in three dimensions was generated by moiré photograph of back. A simultaneous recording from moiré and raster gave height and curvature maps of spinal column (thus generating 3-D profile of spinal column) in each phase of human gait (technique developed in 1996). A 3-D-dynamic model related spinal column in each phase to the next through edge-based algorithm. Edge-based moiré and edge-based raster allowed study of changes in height and curvature maps of human back during a gait cycle. In the area of sports-performance analysis, unwanted motion in the sagittal plane by a gymnast performing on vault may be monitored using edge-based moiré. There is a need for planning and implementing dynamical and robust Sports Sciences and Technologies Programs in national universities and sports-training institutions, in place of the traditional Departments of Health and Physical Education. This is the only way for Pakistan to regain glory in hockey and cricket and follow a path leading to excellence in other events, e. g., gymnastics and swimming. Abstract PDF

C70: From Mathematics to Technology: A Bridge through Physics and Engineering

Work done at: UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI, University Road, Karachi 75270, Pakistan

Kamal SA, Proceedings of the International Conference on Physics and the World of Today, Edited by Jafri MA, Naqvi SM, National Center for Physics and Department of Physics, University of Karachi, 2008, pp 32-39 (invited paper)

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The deaf and the dumb equations of mathematics are made to speak through physics, which is the formulation
of general laws applying, mainly, inductive logic. Engineering is modeling from the general laws to create practical systems. Technology is the implementation and the adaptation of a laboratory model to create a working system, which could be mass-produced. The journey from mathematics to technology could be considered as a journey from the abstract to the concrete, mathematics being in books, in the minds of philosophers, physics making contact with outside world, technology becoming the stage, where one enjoys the blessings. The training of mathematicians and physicists should inculcate creative thinking and make them capable to critically analyze problems, taking them from various stages of concept building to equip them with problem-solving skills. Problem solving in the classroom should prepare them to problem solving in the laboratories, and, eventually, problem solving in the industry. This paper illustrates how simple activities, like measurement of height and determination of safe-viewing distance for watching television could reinforce concepts and techniques from various disciplines, including mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, health and safety. Mathematics curricula should give students the practical skills needed by a prospective employer. The paper describes the behavior-based interview format for teachers in mathematics, elaborating technical and performance skills needed for these jobs and examines if the recently-prepared mathematics curricula for BS, MS and PhD by Higher Education Commission, Government of Pakistan are preparing students in this regard and whether they are, properly, interfaced with pre-university curricula. Abstract PDF Paper PDF

C69: Role of Moiré Fringe Topography and Rasterstereography in the Management of Back Pain

Work done at: UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI, University Road, Karachi 75270, Pakistan

Kamal SA, the First National Conference on Headache and Back Pain, Session III, Karachi, Pakistan, 2008

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Fig. 1. Study of human back using moiré fringe topography (Photo Credit: Shakeel Ahmed Ansari)		Fig. 2. Study of human shoulder using rastersterography (Photo Credit: Majeed Ahmed Khan)

Back pain causes reduction in the quality and the quantity of work done by an employee, a housewife or a student. There is a need for non-contact and non-invasive techniques for monitoring causes of back pain, so that efficient and effective management strategies could be initiated. Moiré fringe topography and rasterstereography are photogrammteric techniques, which provide 3-D information in terms of height and curvature maps of the study surface (Figures 1 and 2), the human back in case of back pain, the human shoulder in case of frozen shoulder, etc. These techniques do not involve ionizing radiations, e.g., X rays, and, hence, ideal for monitoring spinal curvatures in children. The author developed methods to determine Cobb angle from measurements performed on moiré topographs (and its generalization in 3-D, the Asr Angle). In the context of
3-D-static model of the human spinal column (put forward by author in 1982, complete version published in 1996), profile of spinal column in three dimensions was generated by moiré photograph of back, used to study posture, providing insight into the anatomical basis of back pain. A simultaneous recording from moiré and raster gave height and curvature maps of spinal column (thus generating 3-D profile of spinal column) in each phase of human gait (developed in 1996). A 3-D-dynamic model related spinal column in each phase to the next through edge-based algorithm. Edge-based moiré and edge-based raster allowed study of changes in height and curvature maps of human back during a gait cycle, thus providing clues to the physiological basis of back pain. Abstract PDF

C68: Pattern Recognition using Moiré Fringe Topography and Rasterstereography
Work done at: UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI, University Road, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
Kamal SA, Proceedings of the International Symposium on Biometrics and Security Technologies (IEEE ISBAST 2008), Bahria University, Islamabad, Pakistan, 2008, pp 1-7 (invited paper)
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Moiré fringe topography and rasterstereography are 3-D optical imaging techniques, which provide height and curvature maps of the subject or the object under study. These are non-contact and non-invasive techniques, which project moiré and raster grids on the body. The distorted grids contain height and curvature information, which may be recovered using image-processing algorithms. These techniques are being applied to face recognition. The information may be stored in the database and not easily accessible to ordinary citizen. Hence, the chances of fake pictures or fabricated patterns are minimized. Techniques are developed to project, simultaneously, moiré and raster grids and analyze height and curvature information, separately, using selective optical filtering, which could be used to record height and curvature patterns during a certain action, e. g., uttering a standard word. Edge-based algorithms, combined with moiré contours and raster patterns, allow study of face movements through changing height and curvature maps. A multi-level screening of suspects using these technologies is proposed. Paper PDF

2006

C67: Incorporatng Cross-Range Error in the Lambert Scheme
Work done at: UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI, University Road, Karachi 75270, Pakistan

Kamal SA, Proceedings of the Tenth National Aeronautical Conference, Edited by Sheikh SR, Khan AM, College of Aeronautical Engineering, Pakistan Air Force Academy, Risalpur, NWFP, Pakistan, 2006, pp 255-263
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The determination of an orbit, having a specified transfer time (time-of-flight) and connecting two position vectors, frequently referred to as the Lambert problem, is fundamental in astrodynamics. Of the many techniques existing for solving this two-body, two-point, time-constrained orbital boundary-value problem, Gauss' and Lagrange's methods were combined to obtain an elegant algorithm based on Battin's work. This algorithm included detection of cross-range error. A variable TYPE, introduced in the transfer-time equation, was flipped, to generate the inverse-Lambert scheme. The Lambert scheme could be useful in steering a satellite-launch vehicle (SLV) as well as constructing the control system of a passengercraft traveling in a ballistic trajectory. Paper PDF

C64: Ellipse-Orientation Steering: A Control Law for Spacecrafts and Satellite-Launch Vehicles (SLV)
Work done at: UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI, University Road, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
Kamal SA, Space Science and Challenges of the Twenty-First-Century, ISPA-SUPARCO Collaborative Seminar
(in connection with World Space Week), University of Karachi, Karachi, November 21, 2005 (invited paper)
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The mission design is not complete unless the trajectory calculation includes checks for cross-range error and down-range error. Ellipse-Orientation Steering, a control law expressed in terms of the elliptic-astrodynamical-coördinate mesh, states conditions, which must be satisfied for no down-range error and no cross-range error. Mathematical proof was given and protocols for elimination of down-range and cross-range errors described.

C54: The Early-Childhood-Integrated-Developmental Examination (ECIDE) for 3-8 Years Old Children
Work done at: UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI, University Road, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
Kamal SA , the Aga Khan University National Sciences Research Symposium: Early Childhood Care and Develop-ment, Karachi, 2002, abstract # 17, p 32 (poster presentation)
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Objective: To study the developmental milestones achieved during early childhood.
Methods: ECIDE incorporates observation of child's behavior under standardized conditions, with separate
ratings for MAQ (mental ability quotient) and MCQ (motor coördination quotient). Child is scored on (a) behavior, (b) grooming, (c) response to undressing, (d) interest in testing material and surroundings, (e) orientation in space and in time, (f) degree and duration of concentration, (g) distractibility, (h) compliance, (i) fearfulness with apparatus and people, (j) movements, (k) speech, (l) irritability, (m) activity level and (n) ability to interact with peers. Selected segments are given to the NGDS Pilot Project participants, comprising of over 1000 healthy 3-8 years old boys and girls, representing a national sample.
Results: Pakistani children, in general, excel in mental ability as compared to their western counterparts. However, their motor coördination, in particular, gait needs to be improved.
Recommendations/Conclusions: ECIDE needs to be developed further with a structured, formal-ordered performance routine based on influence and precedence graphs. Once developed fully and baseline scores established, the test may be useful in evaluating the effectiveness of various teaching and child-upbringing approaches. On a cellular level, the test may provide one of many tools to map synaptic connections formed during a learning process.

C53: The NGDS Pilot Project: Aiming at the Future of Pakistan
Work done at: UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI, University Road, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
Kamal SA, Firdous S, Alam SJ, the Aga Khan University National Sciences Research Symposium: EarlyChildhood Care and Development, Karachi, 2002, abstract # 13, p 26 (presentation CD compiled by the organizers)
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Objective: To pinpoint cases of stunting and wasting in early childhood by obtaining a detailed growth profile
of a child.
Methods: The NGDS (National Growth and Developmental Standards for the Pakistani Children) Pilot Project is being successfully implemented since 1998, to collect data on children, representing a national sample, in a better-than-average health. Standing and sitting heights, shoulder widths and mid-upper-arm-circumferences are measured on over 2000 healthy children. A software is developed, which takes as input heights and weights of biological father and biological mother, as well as those of child at 2 successive occasions, 6 months apart. The output is a detailed growth profile indicating stunting and wasting (if present), optimal and actual biomass indices, height velocities and rates of weight gain (or loss).
Results: Growth profiles of children in descriptive, tabular, graphical and bar-chart form are to be presented.
Recommendations/Conclusions: There should be a "National Anthropometry Center", which should receive and process data from sub centers located in each "tehsil"/town. By law, the parents be required to register all live births to these sub centers. All children must receive head-to-toe examination every 6 months including anthropometry during the early childhood years. A healthy child would become a healthy parent, thereby minimizing malnutrition-related diseases. Only a well-nourished child can take up the challenges of leadership.

C48: The NGDS Pilot Project: Anthropometry of Pakistani Children
Work done at: UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI, University Road, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
Kamal SA, Firdous S, the Sixteenth International Biennial Conference of Pakistan Pediatric Association, Karachi, 2002, abstract # PO-26, p 127 (poster presentation)
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The NGDS (National Growth and Developmental Standards for the Pakistani Children) Pilot Project aims to establish a national anthropometrical-data library of Pakistani children. Over 2000 healthy children studying in representative institutions run by the Armed Forces of Pakistan are measured using inexpensive anthropometric instruments developed from local resources. Accuracy and precision of these instruments are comparable to those purchased in international market. The measurements obtained were standing and sitting heights, shoulder widths, weights and mid-upper-arm circumferences on over 2000 healthy children.
Benefits and Usefulness:
1) Health education and awareness
2) Regular monitoring of height and weight
3) Screening for growth retardation, trunk deformities, poor posture and gait
4) Training of school doctors and physical-education instructors

C47: The NGDS Pilot Project: Modeling Growth of Pakistani Children
Work done at: UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI, University Road, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
Kamal SA, Firdous S, the Sixteenth International Biennial Conference of Pakistan Pediatric Association, Karachi, 2002
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The NGDS Pilot Project was initiated in 1998 under the directives of Governor Sindh/Chancellor, University of Karachi. It is a goodwill, public-service endeavor, conducted free of charge for the care and the development of young persons to prepare them mentally, physically and emotionally for rewarding careers in the civil and the military services. Growth of Pakistani children is modeled keeping in view the ICP model of human growth, put forward by Johan Karlberg. According to this model, height gain is continuous, but not smooth. Phase transitions from "infancy to childhood" and "childhood to puberty" are accompanied by abrupt changes in height velocity. There are 3 periods of rapid growth: (a) after conception, (b) start of “childhood curve”, (c) start of “puberty curve”. Children suffering from severe disease (e. g., diarrhea) during the weaning period may continue on the infancy curve a little longer, before picking up the childhood curve and, hence, end up shorter.

Dear Dr. Kamal,

Thank you for your letter and for your interest in my book. I appreciate your list of corrections and suggestions (PDF Version).

Richard H. Battin
Adjunct Professor (Aeronautics and Astronautics)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge (USA)
October 25, 1993

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