Ahmed Imran

Do women pursue programs in engineering? A case study from the United Arab Emirates

Widely documented studies suggest relatively low representation of women in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics educational programs. Various, studies showed that even if women enroll in science and engineering educational programs, they many may not continue. Several researchers have investigated the possible reasons for such trends. Some studies have also analyzed the factors that might enhance student retention in engineering programs. In comparison, statistics from different universities in the UAE show that women comprise a significant percentage of student population in engineering programs. In the present study we used statistical data for students admitted in academic years from 2006 to 2010 to analyze the patterns of intake, attrition and retention related to women and men students in two accredited undergraduate programs. In academic years 2006 to 2010 women comprised 44% of the total intake. Until the academic year 2013-14, 23% women and 37% men aborted their programs while 77% women and 63% men were retained. From those who aborted, 85% women and 82% men did so within the first three semesters of admission. The study suggests that women comprised a significant percentage of the total student population in the engineering programs analyzed. Also, a higher percentage of women continued in their engineering education. Further, early semesters appear to be critical in engineering education for both men and women groups. This deserves more attention in order to contain attrition or to enhance retention. In conclusion, based on this case study and statistics from other universities in the UAE, we might be able to say that in the United Arab Emirates women do pursue programs in engineering. Further research and efforts are required to understand, encourage and support the presence of women in engineering.

Knee laxity after unicompartmental joint replacement: A planar mathematical analysis

Passive knee laxity is an important clinical measure to assess function after joint replacement. Clinical observations suggest that the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques in knee arthroplasty may affect the surgeons ability to orient and position the prosthetic components accurately. Further, recent studies suggest that malplaced prosthetic components in unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) can affect the ligament forces and, hence, the knee laxity. In the present study, a sagittal plane mathematical model of the knee with unicompartmental replacement is used to analyze the passive antero-posterior (A-P) laxity during flexion using different force levels. Also, the effects of errors in component position are evaluated. The results show that for all force levels, the A-P laxity first increases from 0° to about 30° flexion, remains nearly constant for another 10° and then decreases somewhat linearly for higher flexion angles. Changes in the position of the femoral component by 1mm can affect the knee laxity by 2mm or more in some flexion positions. The analysis has clinical relevance and suggests that the UKR requires close attention to component placement.

Influence of Tibial Translation on Estimates of Patellar Tendon Force During Knee Flexion

The mechanics of the knee was analyzed in the sagittal plane to study effects on patellar tendon force as influenced by placement of external flexing loads on the tibia and by translation of the tibial bone 7 mm anterior to the femoral bone during the flexion range 0–120°. Anatomical parameters and measurements for orientations and moment arms of the patellar tendon during the flexion range were estimated from experiments on cadaver knees available in the literature.

Modelling and Simulation in Orthopedic Biomechanics—Applications and Limitations

Modelling and simulation in orthopedic biomechanics involves the use of computational methods to study mechanics of load-bearing structures of the human musculoskeletal system. Such joints as the hip, knee, ankle, elbow and shoulder provide us mobility with stability during various activities. Changes in the internal configurations of a joint due to an abnormality, injury or surgical intervention, can affect the ability of a person to perform common activities. The internal structures, like ligaments, tendons and bones are not readily amenable to direct observation or measurement. Also, certain effects are difficult to analyze using experiment, for example, the influence of surgical techniques on the resulting joint mechanics. Modeling and simulation using computational methods, therefore, provides an opportunity to gain insight into the behavior of the joints and to predict effects due to a variety of internal joint configurations which are otherwise difficult, cost prohibitive, unethical or impossible to implement using the available experimental techniques. However, sensitivity analysis, relevant validation and an understanding of limitations is important in order to have practical significance. This paper discusses various approaches, applications and limitations of computational methods used to study the mechanics of human joints.

Influence of Flexing Load Position on the Loading of Cruciate Ligaments at the Knee—A Graphics-Based Analysis

Injuries of the cruciate ligaments of the knee, particularly the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), is a common problem in young athletes. Therefore, identification of high-risk factors that lead to injury of the knee ligaments is required to avoid loading or protecting the ligaments from injury or during rehabilitation. In the present study, mechanics of the knee was analyzed for the influence of external flexing load positions on loading of the cruciate ligaments in the sagittal plane during 0° to 120° flexion. Experimental data was taken from literature. Mechanical equilibrium of the tibia was considered due to four types of forces, namely, a force in the patellar tendon, a ligament force, a tibio-femoral joint contact force, and an external flexing load applied distally on the tibia. The analysis suggests that during the muscle exercise at the knee, loading of the cruciate ligaments depends on flexion angle as well as on the position of external load on the tibia. Far distal placements of flexing loads on the tibia can stretch the ACL significantly at low flexion angles. The PCL is stretched during mid-to-high flexion range for all positions of the external flexing loads on the tibia. However, during the mid-flexion range, the effects of placement are modest. Therefore, rehabilitation exercises requiring protection of the ligaments need to pay attention to the position of external flexing load on the tibia as well as flexion angle at which the exercise is performed.

Attracting, engaging and retaining students in engineering programs — A case study

In this case study, statistical data was used from accredited undergraduate programs in electrical engineering to analyze and compare two distinct groups of students for various patterns related to program enrollment, retention and attrition. Group A (GA) students were admitted in the years 2000-2005. Group B (GB) students were admitted in the years 2006-2011. The two groups differed in terms of their program-related admission and completion requirements, curriculum design and curriculum contents. Cumulative data until the academic year 2012-13 was analyzed. The total intake for GA was 2% more than that for GB. The student retention was 46% for GA and 71% for GB. This is a significant improvement in the retention of students for GB over GA. Further, from those students who aborted their programs, 53% of the total attrition for GA and 79% for GB occurred in the first year of admission. These patterns showed similarities when analyzed for the sub-group of women students only. The analysis suggests that the retention of undergraduate engineering students could be influenced by admission and program completion requirements as well as curriculum design and contents. Further, first year students require more attention.

SAGITTAL PLANE KNEE LAXITY AFTER LIGAMENT RETAINING UNCONSTRAINED ARTHROPLASTY: A MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS

Passive knee laxity is an important clinical measure to assess function after joint replacement. Clinical observations suggest that the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques in knee arthroplasty may affect the surgeons ability to orient and position the prosthetic components accurately. Further, recent studies suggest that malplaced prosthetic components in ligament retaining unconstrained unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) can affect the ligament forces and, hence, the knee laxity. In the present study, a sagittal plane mathematical model of the knee with intact ligaments and unconstrained prosthetic components is used to analyze antero-posterior (A–P) knee laxity during passive flexion at different force levels. Also, the effects of errors in component placement are evaluated. The model calculations show a reasonable agreement with the experimental observations reported in literature. The results show that the A–P laxity during 0°–120° flexion first increases from 0° to about 30°, remains nearly constant for another 10° and then decreases somewhat linearly for higher flexion angles. Some errors in the placement of femoral component of the order of 1 mm can affect the knee laxity by nearly 3 mm in some flexion positions. The analysis has clinical relevance and suggests that the UKA requires close attention to component placement.

Automated Wireless System for Individuals Requiring Continuous Remote Care

This paper presents development of a wireless electronic healthcare system for automated real-time monitoring and control of patients requiring continuous care. Wireless solutions for healthcare can achieve improved patient-care at reduced cost. The system presented here utilizes mobile phones for communication as well as data transfer. Separate functions of the system allow: access to patient’s data, system generated warning calls, remote control of various patient related devices and storage of data in a central location. In addition, the system features interactive communication with the users utilizing artificial machine voice generated by speech synthesizer. Each mode of communication is password protected for security.