117 research outputs found
Explicit SoS Lower Bounds from High-Dimensional Expanders
Get PDFWe construct an explicit and structured family of 3XOR instances which is hard for O(√{log n}) levels of the Sum-of-Squares hierarchy. In contrast to earlier constructions, which involve a random component, our systems are highly structured and can be constructed explicitly in deterministic polynomial time.
Our construction is based on the high-dimensional expanders devised by Lubotzky, Samuels and Vishne, known as LSV complexes or Ramanujan complexes, and our analysis is based on two notions of expansion for these complexes: cosystolic expansion, and a local isoperimetric inequality due to Gromov.
Our construction offers an interesting contrast to the recent work of Alev, Jeronimo and the last author (FOCS 2019). They showed that 3XOR instances in which the variables correspond to vertices in a high-dimensional expander are easy to solve. In contrast, in our instances the variables correspond to the edges of the complex
A complex systems framework for the sustainability doughnut
No full textAchieving sustainability is challenging as an environmental and socio-economic objective, and as a complex concept whose multiple components and their interactions need to be considered.
We develop a statistical model to investigate relationships among and between the planetary boundaries and social foundations of the sustainability ‘doughnut’ model. We find over 35 direct and indirect, positive and negative, influences of varying magnitude among seven boundaries (biodiversity loss, climate change, ocean acidification, land use, nitrogen and phosphorus cycles, atmospheric aerosol loading and freshwater use) and eleven foundations (energy, income, health, education, food, water, gender equality, resilience, jobs, voice and social equity).
We observe that biodiversity loss is driven by other planetary boundaries (land-use change and freshwater use), but also a social foundation (jobs, measured as vulnerable employment). The planetary boundaries of freshwater use and land use are also related: freshwater use is higher in urban centres than in rural areas. The planetary boundary of climate change is also related to land use (the extent of agricultural lands), and the social foundation of income per capita (greater income, higher carbon dioxide emissions).
We also find that several social foundations are themselves interrelated. For example gender equality (measured as female participation in the work force) is mainly predicted by vulnerable employment. Also, food deficit increases with poverty level, but is alleviated by access to clean water. Education (literacy rate) and social equity (social insurance) can both lift people out of poverty. These inter-relations suggest that both synergies and trade-offs exist between and within boundaries and foundations.
We provide a new conceptual framework that moves us away from the doughnut approach towards one that can begin to address the complex interactions that sustainability scientists and policy makers face when trying to maintain multiple social foundations while not compromising any of the planetary boundaries. We illustrate several hypothesis-based relationships here, to suggest that everything is not related to everything else. It is possible to work out significant pathways within this complex system, which is necessary to implement policies.Canada First Research Excellence FundNSERC Discover
Evolving Asian Power Balances and Alternate Conceptions for Building Regional Institutions
Get PDFThe paper aims to examine economic interdependence and balancing power politics, and their mixed implications for regional institution building in East Asia based on the concept of common security. By pointing out the gap between the violent conflict prediction and the stability and prosperity reality following the end of the Cold War, the paper gives analysis to the factors affecting the security relations in the region, including (i) the role of the US, (ii) the rise of the PRC, (iii) ASEAN's efforts at regional cooperation, the (iv) the PRC–Japan rivalry. The author concludes that economic interdependence and regional cooperation in Asia have constrained a power struggle from spiraling out of control, while open regionalism has become a reasonable approach to regional institution building. Finally, the paper makes policy recommendations with respect to principles and steps in moving to a new regional security order.East Asia; Regional Cooperation; Power Politics; Balance of Power; Regional Institutions; Common Security
Harmonizing diversity : Exploring the prospects of enacting a uniform civil code in India
Get PDFIn this essay, the author discusses the concept of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India, which aims to establish a single law that governs personal issues such as marriage, divorce, custody, inheritance, and succession, and replaces the diverse personal laws of different religions. The author argues that the UCC is necessary for achieving the objective of a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India, as envisaged in Article 44 of the Directive Principles of State Policy. The essay addresses concerns raised about the UCC being in conflict with the freedom of religion guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution, by stating that there is a clear difference between religious faith and belief and religious practices, and that the UCC aims to create uniform laws on matters of personal law rather than a uniform method of practicing religion. The essay cites several judicial pronouncements by the Supreme Court of India, which have emphasized the need for enacting the UCC. It also refutes the argument that the UCC will result in the imposition of religious practices of the majority on the minority. The a concludes that the UCC is an essential step towards achieving social equality and national integration, and the government needs to take necessary steps towards enacting i
BOND MARKET DEVELOPMENT IN EAST ASIA: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES
No full textISSN 1655-5252 The views expressed in this paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Asian Development Bank
Two Cases of CrossFit®-Induced Rhabdomyolysis: A Rising Concern
No full textackground: The author reports the cases of two adult males who presented with severe rhabdomyolysis following identical CrossFit® workouts performed on the same day, at the same time and at the same location.
Results: For both cases, symptoms of rhabdomyolysis disappeared upon discontinuation of the regime and within three days of aggressive hydration and rest. Patients made a complete recovery upon discharge.
Conclusion: The rhabdomyolysis was attributed to the same excruciating workout both men underwent. Exertional rhabdomyolysis exemplified by the cases presented highlights a rising concern over the health consequences of the popular training program. CrossFit®-induced rhabdomyolysis is underrecognized and should be considered in patients presenting with signs and symptoms of rhabdomyolysis
Two Cases of CrossFit®-Induced Rhabdomyolysis: A Rising Concern
Get PDFBackground: The author reports the cases of two adult males who presented with severe rhabdomyolysis following identical CrossFit® workouts performed on the same day, at the same time and at the same location. Results: For both cases, symptoms of rhabdomyolysis disappeared upon discontinuation of the regime and within three days of aggressive hydration and rest. Patients made a complete recovery upon discharge. Conclusion: The rhabdomyolysis was attributed to the same excruciating workout both men underwent. Exertion rhabdomyolysis exemplified by the cases presented highlights a rising concern over the health consequences of the popular training program. CrossFit®-induced rhabdomyolysis is underrecognized and should be considered in patients presenting with signs and symptoms of rhabdomyolysis
Proceedings of the 10th Annual TRU Undergraduate Research and Innovation Conference
Get PDFPeer reviewedDetermination of Triclosan in Personal Care Products and Swimming Pool Samples by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Devin Chattu -- Development of a Student Lab Experiment: 1H NMR Characterization and Synthesis of Substituted 2,2’-Bipyridines / Riley T. Endean -- Analysis of Triglycerides in Cooking Oils Using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry and Principal Component Analysis / Kevin Cooley -- Women and War: The Western Hero Myth / Tyler Pineau -- How to Kill in the 21st Century: The Resurgence of Mercenaries on the Battlefield / Eric Maher -- Hear My Voice: The Experiences of Transgender Sex-workers within the British Columbia Healthcare System / Rachel G. LePage and Kirsten R. Roche -- Gendered Violence in Indigenous Communities: A Restorative Justice Approach / Jennifer Friend -- “The Problem of Pocahontas”: Colonialism, Stereotypes, and Personal Identity in Janet Campbell Hale’s Bloodlines: Odyssey of a Native Daughter / Nicole Vance -- Curiosity and Connection: An Undergraduate Perspective on Community Research / Debra Andrews -- TRU Student Motivations to Volunteer / Felicia Dawn Maria Girouard -- Treatment Strategies for Language Problems in ESL Academic Writing: Teachers’ and Students’ Preferences / Meenakshiyogini (Meena) Balachandran -- Roots of Past and Present / Leif Douglass -- A Mango for Every Palate: Food as Identity in Madhur Jaffrey’s Climbing the Mango Trees / Ariel Little -- Fusion: The Circle of Life / Jason Charlie
Stereotactic body radiation therapy for stage I non-small cell lung cancer: The importance of treatment planning algorithm and evaluation of a tumor control probability model
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