A Tight Uniform Continuity Bound for Equivocation

We prove a tight uniform continuity bound for the conditional Shannon entropy of discrete finitely supported random variables in terms of total variation distance.Comment: 4 pages, streamlined the proof in v2, minor changes + added a clarifying sentence in v

Towards a resolution of the spin alignment problem

Consider minimizing the entropy of a mixture of states by choosing each state subject to constraints. If the spectrum of each state is fixed, we expect that in order to reduce the entropy of the mixture, we should make the states less distinguishable in some sense. Here, we study a class of optimization problems that are inspired by this situation and shed light on the relevant notions of distinguishability. The motivation for our study is the spin alignment conjecture introduced recently in Ref.~\cite{Leditzky2022a}. In the original version of the underlying problem, each state in the mixture is constrained to be a freely chosen state on a subset of $n$ qubits tensored with a fixed state $Q$ on each of the qubits in the complement. According to the conjecture, the entropy of the mixture is minimized by choosing the freely chosen state in each term to be a tensor product of projectors onto a fixed maximal eigenvector of $Q$, which maximally ``aligns'' the terms in the mixture. We generalize this problem in several ways. First, instead of minimizing entropy, we consider maximizing arbitrary unitarily invariant convex functions such as Fan norms and Schatten norms. To formalize and generalize the conjectured required alignment, we define \textit{alignment} as a preorder on tuples of self-adjoint operators that is induced by majorization. We prove the generalized conjecture for Schatten norms of integer order, for the case where the freely chosen states are constrained to be classical, and for the case where only two states contribute to the mixture and $Q$ is proportional to a projector. The last case fits into a more general situation where we give explicit conditions for maximal alignment. The spin alignment problem has a natural ``dual" formulation, versions of which have further generalizations that we introduce.Comment: 36 pages. Comments are welcome

Contextualizing privilege and disadvantage: lessons from women expatriates in the Middle East

This article explores how the simultaneity of privilege and disadvantage shapes the experiences of women expatriates in the Middle East. The article problematizes the simultaneity of being an elite group (e.g. expatriates) and a disadvantaged group (e.g. women) within the context of Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Drawing on the literature about women and work expatriation, the article analyses the narratives of women expatriates to highlight the complexity and multidimensionality of their experiences, positioning the discussion within the framework of gendered institutions. The article concludes that privilege and disadvantage are inseparable to the way the experiences of women expatriates unfold in the Middle East, and that institutional settings articulate this inseparability in order to regulate and help to maintain the gender social order. The article contributes a nuanced understanding of the experiences of women expatriates, challenging dominant views that present this group as generally privileged by virtue of their skilled and mobile status

Gender Equality and Corporate Social Responsibility in the Middle East

This chapter focuses on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in relation to gender equality in the Arab Middle East. It examines the relationship between CSR and gender in the workplace whilst exploring the link between CSR and human resource management (HRM) policies and practices. The chapter first presents some seminal work on gender equality and diversity management, looking at the business case for gender equality within the CSR and HRM contexts, before engaging with relevant work on gender equality in the Arab Middle East. It concludes by offering recommendations on advancing the equality agenda at the macro- and meso-levels, within a framework which recognises the centrality of agency of women, as well as the potential of positive changes through corporations being seen as ‘agents of change’. The chapter advocates for organisational and governmental policies to promote gender equality in the Arab Middle East

The role of Guanxi in green supply chain management in Asia's emerging economies: A conceptual framework

In recent decades, rapid industrial modernization and economic growth have brought substantial environmental problems such as air pollution, hazardous waste, and water pollution for the Asian Emerging Economies (AEE), in particular China, Taiwan, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and South Korea. These countries have started to adopt green supply chain management (GSCM) as a strategy to reduce the environmental impact. There are anecdotal evidences that the adoption of GSCM in this region is partly influenced by Guanxi – a cultural norm, which plays a significant role in relationship governance within supply chain activities among the AEE. Based on a systematic literature review, we develop a conceptual framework that characterizes the drivers and barriers for the adoption of GSCM practices, incorporating Guanxi as a moderator in the manufacturing sector of the AEE. The conceptual framework addresses the roles of two types of Guanxi in the adoption of GSCM: the relational Guanxi at individual level based on social exchange theory and the aggregated Guanxi at firm level derived from social capital theory. This recognition of Guanxi at two separate decision levels help companies better manage their relationships while they green their supply chains. Directions for future research and managerial implications are discussed accordingly

Combustion Synthesis of High Density ZrN/ZrSi2 Composite: Influence of ZrO2 Addition on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties

In this study, a high-density ZrN/ZrSi2 composite reinforced with ZrO2 as an inert phase was synthesized under vacuum starting with a Zr-Si4N3-ZrO2 blend using combustion-synthesis methodology accompanied by compaction. The effects of ZrO2 additions (10–30 wt%) and compression loads (117–327 MPa) on the microstructure, porosity and hardness of the samples were studied. The process was monitored using XRD, SEM, EDS, porosity, density and hardness measurements. Thermodynamic calculations of the effect of ZrO2 addition on the combustion reaction were performed including the calculation of the adiabatic temperatures and the estimation of the fractions of the liquid phase. The addition of up to 20 wt% ZrO2 improved the hardness and reduced the porosity of the samples. Using 20 wt% ZrO2, the sample porosity was reduced to 1.66 vol%, and the sample hardness was improved to 1165 ± 40.5 HV at 234 MPa