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How was the Taliban 2.0 in Afghanistan seen in Pakistan?
Get PDFThe Taliban 2.0 in Afghanistan took the world by surprise. This article investigates how this event was seen differently in varied contexts, such as neighboring Pakistan. Our research shows epistemological pluralism in Pakistan, i.e. how different groups use different ways of knowing (epistemology), being (ontology), and valuing (axiology) to explain and analyze Taliban 2.0. Conceptually, the paper draws on insights from the relationality theory to demonstrate the reasons behind such epistemological pluralism. The theory of relationality provides the grounds for epistemological pluralism, i.e. the mixed sentiments and feelings among respondents about the Taliban 2.0 in Afghanistan. Our research reports the perspectives of nine selected civil society activists about Taliban 2.0 in Afghanistan and its implications for Pakistan. The respondents were interviewed during the second quarter of the Taliban administering Afghanistan. Some called it the victory of Islam, the freedom of Afghans from foreign occupation, and the protection of the Pakistani border from Indian proxies. Others were worried about the risks of increased extremism and terrorism in Pakistan, including the rise of banned organizations like Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. This study intends to document the interviewee civil society activists’ suggestions to the State of Pakistan for dealing with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan
60 GHz High Gain Magneto Electric Dipole Antenna Array
No full textMillimeter-wave frequencies have gained significant attention in recent years due to their vast potential for high-bandwidth communications. These frequencies, typically ranging from 30 GHz to 300 GHz, offer abundant available bandwidth for data-intensive applications. However, their efficient utilization requires the development of high-gain and low-profile antenna systems capable of operating at these frequencies. This research introduces a design of a high-gain, magneto-electric dipole (ME-Dipole) antenna array fed through a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW), incorporating mushroom beam-directors.
The aim of this thesis is to address the growing demand for efficient millimeter-wave antennas for wireless communication systems. In the proposed antenna structure, the integration of Epsilon-Near-Zero (ENZ) lenses within the design substantially enhances the directivity of the radiation pattern.
The single element of the ME-Dipole exhibits a maximum gain of 7.84 dBi, providing a significant boost in signal strength. By utilizing an array configuration with 1 × 8 elements, the antenna system achieves an impressive gain of 18 dBi, appropriate for long-range and high throughput communication links. The measurement data validates the antenna’s performance, demonstrating a 10dB impedance bandwidth spanning 33.3 (from 54 GHz to 74 GHz). Furthermore, the maximum
gain of 18 dBi exhibits remarkable gain flatness, with a variation of only 1 dBi across the frequency range of 54 GHz to 74 GHz. The integration of ENZ lenses and mushroom beam-directors presents a unique and innovative approach to enhancing the performance of millimeter-wave antennas. The fabrication results show a great agreement with simulation results too
Inflation Differentials and the Diversification Benefits of Small Cap Equities in Emerging Markets for US Investors
No full textThe behaviour of small caps in emerging markets has not received much attention in the academic literature. For international investors, they pose particular problems to the extent that their returns reflect political risks, and fiscal and monetary instability that give rise to inflationary pressures. This paper looks at the diversification benefits of small cap returns across emerging market countries, taking into account their exposure to inflation. The paper finds that for many of the countries with lower-than-average inflation, adding their small cap stocks to a benchmark US large-cap portfolio expands the mean variance frontier of the benchmark portfolio. This finding is robust to the effects of the Global Financial Crisis to an extent. Diversification benefits of small cap stocks are rare for emerging countries with higher inflation, and not seen at all for the post GFC period
The Transformative Power of Critical Consciousness Raising through Popular Education: An Autoethnographic Study
Get PDFThis autoethnographic study investigates the phenomenon of critical consciousness raising, as proposed by Freire, through popular education. Situated in the critical pedagogy field, it analyzes a personal transformative experience of conscientização, to explore how critical consciousness is developed in practice through popular education, what are the factors, conditions, and dispositions that can contribute to raising critical consciousness, and what can be the consequence of critical consciousness raising to one’s life and one’s communities. For that, a quick introduction of the main theoretical concepts is presented, and a literature review of 36 autoethnographic studies on critical consciousness was conducted. Employing a narrative method of inquiry and analysis, the methods for data collection and analysis are also discussed. The main findings of the study are that dialogue and praxis are main elements in the process of developing critical consciousness in popular education; desire for change and dialogical communication aligned with practice, are required for raising critical consciousness; the consequences of the process of conscientização including greater autonomy, responsibility, and leadership, fostering collective organization and social transformation. For further research, it is recommended to expand the questions approached in this study to a greater context, employing empirical research on the processes of critical consciousness raising among different people involved in one or more popular education initiatives within a community
Implications of Actovegin on Aerobic Performance and Mitochondrial Respiration in Trained and Untrained Mice
Get PDFActovegin is a deproteinated calf blood extract that has been used clinically for over 60 years to treat a wide range of conditions. The drug is thought to exert its therapeutic benefits by enhancing oxidative phosphorylation and cell metabolism. It is postulated that Actovegin has insulin-like properties and can increase glucose uptake in the cell. Due to its proposed mechanism of action, Actovegin has also been speculated as an aerobic performance enhancing drug and few studies have been sought out to confirm this speculation. In addition, the effects of this drug on mitochondrial respiration have only been investigated in skeletal muscle and liver tissue through an acute administration protocol.
This thesis explores the effects of Actovegin from a functional and mechanistic perspective. The objectives were to determine if non-acute Actovegin injections every 2nd day for 14 days can increase aerobic exercise capacity and mitochondrial respiration in skeletal muscle and cardiac tissue in trained and sedentary mice versus equivalent groups receiving a placebo. Effects on blood glucose and body mass were also investigated. Using an aerobic exercise capacity test and high-resolution respirometry, the data revealed that Actovegin injections over a two-week period: (1) increased aerobic exercise capacity (2) increased skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration, (3) did not have a significant effect on cardiac mitochondrial respiration. These results suggest that non-acute Actovegin injections may enhance aerobic exercise performance and reduce the heart’s need to increase contractile capacity in a high-intensity exercise setting
Displacement and Stress Computation in Dual-Horizon State-Based Peridynamics
Get PDFNumerous research endeavors have delved into the realm of multi horizon peridynamics frameworks and their connection to the interplay between peridynamic force densities and stress tensors in the field of continuum mechanics. This study introduces an enhanced iteration of the dual horizon peridynamic (DH-PD) model, merging established multi-horizon peridynamic frameworks with equations that specifically establish stress components using peridynamic forces. This pioneering model offers a method to analyze stress within a 2D framework. The new formulation allows for choosing two horizons and concentration of more material points in high-stress areas. By using this dual horizon idea, the model computes faster by focusing on areas of interest while providing accurate results in less crucial areas. The peridynamics equations are solved using a direct integration method. The efficiency of the model is assessed by benchmark problem tests involving a 2D steel plate containing a central hole under uniform tension. The obtained solution is rigorously compared with finite element solutions. This study demonstrates that the extended DH-PD model is capable of computing stress and displacement fields, regardless of whether they are near high-stress concentration zones or in distant areas of the simulated 2D setup. The model showcases its ability to accurately capture the intricate behavior of stress and deformation
Advanced Stochastic Programming and Machine Learning Models for Healthcare Planning, Scheduling, and Prediction Problems
Get PDFThe increasing demand for global healthcare systems highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions. In response to this challenge, we uses advanced Stochastic Programming and Machine Learning methods to introduce significant improvements in appointment scheduling, operating room planning, and modeling and prediction of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the first paper, we study the healthcare appointment scheduling problem. The main challenges in appointment scheduling are uncertainties in no-shows, unpunctuality, and service times. We propose a novel stochastic programming model that captures an exponential number of scenarios using a pseudo-polynomial number of variables and constraints without relying on sampling methods. The presented methodology is exact. We show that the generated schedules reduce total costs by 34% on average by incorporating patient-dependent service times, 12% by considering patient-and-time-dependent unpunctuality, and 67% by integrating patient-and-time-dependent no-shows. In addition, we show that personalized reminders have the potential to reduce total costs by 23%.
In the second paper, we study a stochastic operating room planning problem. The unpredictability of surgical durations poses a considerable challenge to efficient OR planning. Existing models often overlook this source of uncertainty. This paper introduces a novel stochastic programming model that effectively manages the uncertainty in surgical times. This model advances the literature by capturing an exponential number of scenarios in a weekly operating room planning problem without sampling, simplifications, or approximations. The results of the computational experiments revealed that our model obtains feasible solutions with an average optimality gap of 0.78% for instances with 80 surgeries and 1.48E+64 scenarios.
In the third, fourth and fifth papers, we focus on modeling and prediction of the COVID-19 pandemic and aim at developing methodologies that inform and guide public health decisions. In these three papers, we proposed a hybrid reinforcement learning based algorithm as well as two other evolutionary computation based algorithms to forecast the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. By applying these methods to real-world data from Canada, Quebec, Ontario, France and the U.S., we aim to offer insights into effective pandemic response strategies. We predict the pandemic trajectory as well as the number of different cases with high accuracy
The Strictly Sequential Hybrid Theory
Get PDFThe Strictly Sequential Hybrid Theory (SSHT) proposed in this thesis addresses the limitations of traditional hybrid theories of well-being, which integrate subjective experiences with objective goods but struggle with "unwarranted attitudes"—attitudes not tied to objective goods yet influential on well-being. Previous enhancements like those by Wall and Sobel gave unwarranted attitudes undue significance, leading to counterintuitive effects. SSHT recalibrates this by assigning a secondary but crucial role to unwarranted attitudes, ensuring alignment with intuitive notions of well-being. It emphasizes a structured integration where objective values and warranted subjective experiences primarily determine well-being, while unwarranted attitudes are considered to resolve ties in closely matched scenarios. This approach allows SSHT to offer a more coherent and balanced framework for understanding well-being, surpassing previous models in both comprehensiveness and philosophical depth. SSHT’s nuanced method marks a significant advancement in the philosophy of well-being, contributing a refined perspective on the complex interplay between subjective and objective elements that constitute a good life
Investigating the Minimum Discharge Required to Prevent the Winter Freezing of Water Supply Mains
No full textPrevious studies reveal a strong correlation between cold climates and water supply pipe damage, notably from pipe freezing in winter, which significantly affects millions of people in cold regions. Traditional measures like burying pipes or adding insulation are often ineffective and costly. The role of water flow dynamics in preventing winter freezing is often overlooked. Common advice to keep taps open in winter lacks precise flow rate guidance, causing water wastage. This study investigates the relationship between flow rate and air temperature to establish an optimal balance that prevents freezing while enhancing water supply system efficiency. Experiments used a 0.15-meter diameter Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipe in an environmental chamber set to freezing ambient (air) temperatures, with a continuous water flow maintained inside the pipes. Water temperature monitoring was conducted using probes placed strategically along the pipe. An analytical solution was derived to plot water temperature distribution due to negative temperatures at boundary. Numerical analysis was performed to simulate ice formation in 2-D (axis-symmetrical) geometry with varying boundary temperatures, which were then compared with experimental results. This study identified steady-state conditions between ambient temperature and water flow dynamics and instances of ice formation at specific flow rates and temperatures, leading to flow rate recommendations for different ambient temperatures to prevent winter freezing in water mains. The findings can help urban planners design resilient water supply infrastructure, enhancing sustainability and community resilience. By specifying optimal flow rates to prevent pipe freezing, this study supports sustainable water management
Mapping the Invisible City: Revealing the Intangible Heritage of Parc-Extension through Narrative Cartography
Get PDFUrban heritage includes tangible features such as buildings and infrastructure as well as the intangible: the feelings, memories, and stories associated with places that can be considered the soul of the city. In this research, I aim to reveal this intangible heritage by mapping the constellation of stories and memories that contribute to the production of places. To do so, I studied one neighborhood in Montreal: Parc-Extension, a multi-cultural low-income neighborhood that is facing a serious loss of its intangible heritage due to a rapid gentrification process. To better understand what intangible heritage means in Parc-Extension, I engaged with local community groups, I walked in the area following auto-ethnography practices, and I conducted 19 oral history interviews with former and current residents of the neighborhood focusing on their memories and stories about this place. I then mapped these interviews with an online narrative cartography tool, Atlascine, specifically designed to combine the visual and navigational power of maps with the emotional and personal dimensions of stories. The Atlas of Intangible Heritage of Parc-Extension provides access to these stories, to the places and events of importance, and to the memories associated with them.
Through this process, I was able to look more closely at some of the characteristics of intangible heritage in Parc-Extension. First, this research demonstrates that intangible heritage is a dynamic notion that keeps evolving over time with residents and with their experiences and memories. It is not only about romanticizing the past but also about its connection with present-day issues, including gentrification and displacement. Secondly, intangible heritage is often deeply intertwined with tangible places such as schools, parks, buildings, and houses that remain spatio-temporal anchors to these stories and memories. Thirdly, the importance of memories, stories, and the places associated with them vary between individuals and across socio-demographic groups. Therefore, to approach intangible heritage in a meaningful way, we need to constantly engage with personal and collective stories told by those whose voices are rarely heard. This involves opening a space for these stories to be shared, listened to, and made accessible. This is what has been done in this research, which ends with an audio walk. This guided tour curates the past and present stories of the residents of Parc-Extension while inviting its listeners to walk and experience the neighborhood. It emphasizes the importance of being physically present in a place to grasp some of its intangible heritage