Beyond Enemy Pipelines

American foreign policy relies on political, social and energy related decisions. Of particular interest seem to be the South Asian and Central Asian countries that are new hotbeds for political and social upheaval. Often foreign policy decisions are said to be made for “what is best for the country” but at the end, the decision is often driven by the economic system. In the following thesis, these kinds of issues are explored on a more specific level. Natural gas pipelines have been initiated in Southern and Central Asian countries that will have dramatic foreign policy effects on the United States as well as the other countries involved. Two of the most controversial are the IPI (Iran Pakistan India) and the TAP (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan) pipelines. The US government has made many statements regarding its opposition to one and support of the other, and the rest of the countries involved are central to the ongoing war on terror. Through the study of these pipelines, this thesis explores the threats of each pipeline in terms of government support and opposition for both the United States and Pakistan. Further, there is a study on the potential aftermath at participation for Pakistan, as well as the status of the war on terror for the United States. Many think tanks and government officials in our nation’s capital have begun publishing and discussing opinions regarding these proposals. With the study of their foresights, this thesis comes up with a policy study of what the potential situations could be for each country and which path they should follow in their policy agendas. The method of inquiry in this policy brief is by exploring documents and essays written by policy analysts in the field.No embarg

Response of Maize to Application of Sulfurea

To find out the effect of sulfurea on maize crop, an experiment was conducted at ARI Tarnab during Kharif, 2011. The experiment consisted of six treatments with three replications in RCB design. N, P and K were applied in the form of urea, Diammonium phosphate (DAP) and muriate of potash (MOP), respectively. The recommended dose of the sulfurea at the rate of 16L per hectare was applied in the first irrigation (half of the recommended i.e. 8L) and on the fourth irrigation (another half of the recommended i.e. 8L) when crop was at silking stage. The application of sulfur in the form of sulfurea significantly increased the yield of maize crop. The highest grain yield of 6090 kg ha-1 was obtained by the treatment where sulfurea was applied along with NPK fertilizers; whereas lowest grain yield was recorded in plots where no fertilizer was applied. Maximum dry matter yield was obtained when sulfurea was applied with NPK while minimum was obtained in control plots. The effect of sulfurea on the chemical properties of the soil was not very obvious and non-significant effect was observed. No effect on soil pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter and lime was observed which revealed that sulfurea has no effect on these chemical properties of soil. The post harvest soil analysis showed that nitrogen content was not significantly affected while phosphorus and sulfur content was significantly affected by the application of sulfur as sulfurea. Leaf analysis indicated the sulfur content was increased significantly also the uptake was increased significantly. These results indicated that the application of sulfur in the form of sulfurea should be encouraged to apply to the crops like maize, because it increased the yield and improved the soil nutrient content

Modeling single microtubules as a colloidal system to measure the harmonic interactions between tubulin dimers in bovine brain derived versus cancer cell derived microtubules

The local properties of tubulin dimers dictate the properties of the larger microtubule assembly. In order to elucidate this connection, tubulin-tubulin interactions are be modeled as harmonic interactions to map the stiffness matrix along the length of the microtubule. The strength of the interactions are measured by imaging and tracking the movement of segments along the microtubule over time, and then performing a fourier transform to extract the natural vibrational frequencies. Using this method the first ever reported experimental phonon spectrum of the microtubule is reported. This method can also be applied to other biological materials, and opens new doors for structural analysis in the life sciences. Methods used in colloidal soft matter physics were also adapted to the study of the microtubule to develop new methods to measure local stiffness in biological materials. Using this method it is shown that there is local variability in the mechanical properties of bovine brain derived versus cancer cell derived microtubules. This provide insight to how local changes affect the dynamic instability of microtubules of different types. Finally, a nanofluidic device to isolate single microtubules is also reported, and is designed to be used for the study of any biological polymer. It can also be adapted to incorporate nano-scale electrodes for the sensing and actuation of single isolated proteins

Death of the Caliphate: Reconfiguring Ali Abd al-Raziq’s Ideas and Legacy

The demise of the Ottoman Caliphate in 1924 generated vigorous debates throughout the Muslim world regarding the political future of the Ummah. While several prominent Muslim thinkers contributed to this “Caliphate debate,” none left as contested a legacy as the Egyptian intellectual, ‘Ali ‘Abd al-Raziq(1888-1966). In his scholarly publication, Islam and Foundations of Governance,Abd al-Raziq argued against the revival and resurrection of the Caliphate by redefining it as coercive, monarchal, and as the antithesis of the community first established by Prophet Muhammad. While Abd al-Raziq’s book attracted tremendous criticisms in 1925, numerous scholars today have commended and hailed him as the father of Secularism, Liberalism, and Laicism. This thesis, however strongly rejects such labels by investigating how Abd al-Raziq imbued the Caliphate with a modern definition and relied upon authoritative evidence from the Islamic tradition to bolster his analyses. By situating his criticisms within the Islamic tradition, this thesis demands that we reconfigure Abd al-Raziq’s ideas and legacy, without the aid of limiting and misleading Western-centric categories. Additionally, by making use of Urdu language primary sources, this thesis brings forth reception of South Asian Muslims on Abd al-Raziq’s work, to emphasize cross-cultural debates and disagreements amongst Muslims on the significance of the Caliphate, which continue to persist toda

Real-Time Implementation of Spectrum Sensing Techniques in Cognitive Radios

Wireless communication requirements of higher sampling frequencies and bandwidth are ever increasing. For this purpose, exploitation of underutilized spectrum bands was one the challenging research targets. Cognitive Radio (CR) is a promising solution to overcome the “limited bandwidth” issue. Software defined radio (SDR) is the enabler of CR. The aim of the thesis is to adopt the vacant TV channels for secondary users. Spectrum sensing prototype has been proposed to detect TV white space (TVWS). The prototype has been developed using Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP) and examined to sense TVWS in the real time world. The conducting analysis of obtained measurements showed the state of unoccupied spectrum bands in the UHF band ranges from 500 MHz to 698 MHz in the urban area ofWindsor, Ontario, Canada. Two different spectrum sensing techniques namely, the energy detector, and pilot-tone detector were employed to get the result with minimum computational complexity. Experiments show that the presence of incumbent users can be easily detected using the spectrum sensing techniques mentioned in the thesis. The experimental results have demonstrated the validity of the proposed prototyp

An adaptive discrete Newton method for a regularization-free Bingham model

Developing a numerical and algorithmic tool which correctly identifies unyielded regions in the yield stress fluid flow is a challenging task. Two approaches are commonly used to handle the singular behaviour at the yield surface, i.e. the Augmented Lagrangian approach and the regularization approach, respectively. Generally in the regularization approach for the resulting nonlinear and linear problems, solvers do not perform efficiently when the regularization parameter gets very small. In this work, we use a formulation introducing a new auxiliary stress [1]. The three field formulation of yield stress fluids corresponds to a regularization-free Bingham formulation. The resulting set of equations arising from the three field formulation is treated efficiently and accurately by a monolithic finite element method. The velocity and pressure are discretized by the higher order stable FEM pair Q_2⁄(P_1^disc ) and the auxiliary stress is discretized by the Q_2 element. Furthermore, this problem is highly nonlinear and presents a big challenge to any nonlinear solver. We developed a new adaptive discrete Newton's method, which evaluates the Jacobian with the directional divided difference approach [2]. The step size in this process is an important key: We relate this size to the rate of the actual nonlinear reduction for achieving a robust adaptive Newton's method. The resulting linear subproblems are solved using a geometrical multigrid solver. We analyse the solvability of the problem along with the adaptive Newton method for Bingham fluids by doing numerical studies for different prototypical configurations, i.e. "Viscoplastic fluid flow in a channel" [2], "Lid Driven Cavity", "Flow around cylinder", and "Bingham flow in a square reservoir", respectively. References [1] A. Aposporidis, E. Haber, M. A. Olshanskii, A. Veneziani. A Mixed Formulation of the Bingham Fluid Flow Problem: Analysis and Numerical Solution, Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Engrg. 1 (2011), 2434–2446. [2] A. Fatima, S. Turek, A. Ouazzi, M. A. Afaq. An Adaptive Discrete Newton Method for Regularization-Free Bingham Model, 6th ECCOMAS Young Investigators Conference 7th-9th July 2021, Valencia, Spain. doi: 10.4995/YIC2021.2021.12389

The Behavioral and Electrophysiological Effects of Discrimination and Inhibition Training on Visual Selective Attention: an ERP and Time-Frequency Analysis

Enhancement of task relevant information and the suppression of task irrelevant information are the two co-occurring mechanisms of selective attention. Studies have shown that ERP components (specifically N2, P3, and RP) and the alpha band (8-14 Hz) rhythm correspond to neural mechanisms and processes of visual selective attention, especially conflict resolution. Tested by a modified version of the visual flanker task, a conflict task employing inhibitory control, two groups of healthy adults were exposed to three weeks of cognitive training; either discrimination training (trained to discriminate target orientation) or inhibition training (trained to ignore interfering distractors) to investigate whether training impacts behavioral and neural correlates associated with stimuli processing. Behavioral analysis revealed a reduction in both Garner interference [F(1,33)=6.85, p=0.01] and Congruity effect [F(2,66)= 4.35, p=.02] after inhibition training, indicating better conflict resolution. Neural analyses revealed that the amplitude of N2 to target stimuli increased equally for both congruent and incongruent trials, albeit to a larger degree after inhibition training compared to discrimination training [F(1,32)= 5.18, pF(1,32)= 5.69, pF(1,32)= 4.87,

Disrupting the Symbolic Hamlet: A Semiotic Reading

Even though the eruption of Shakespeare’s Hamlet in everyday performative situations, Verities, and the Variable theatrical performative world is common, understood, and accepted over the centuries, the reasons for its return are not fully explored. Deciphering the mechanisms through which it has survived provide a good model for sprouting the contemporary theater of Pakistan. An overview or ‘thinking’ of its semiotic renditions into variegated forms, without analysis based on discrimination, helps in focusing upon some of the essentials that enable the performance text to survive through times. My work involves one such analysis. The objective of this study was to examine two questions: first, why does Hamlet constantly return in the contemporary performance? Second, is there a similar text, character or situation, in Pakistan through which we can structure the performance art of the country? To examine these questions, I explored the literary and performance texts of Hamlet as well as the literary theory, especially Affect Theory and Performance Philosophy. This study displayed a connection between history, culture, affect, and audience. In fact, I could link the Traditional Punjabi Performers of ‘Vaar’ or folk ballads with the performers affected by the strong history and culture based affective field of Hamlet. However, I found Vaari performers relied upon their voice and history based oral narrative and not on the text. This recognition suggests that Pakistan can build upon the historically popular oral narratives to frame its theater. I found that writers steeped in history and cultures of the country have already made such attempts. In future, theater of Pakistan may focus on developing, disrupting and re-performing these narratives. This dissertation highlighted the re-birth of the ‘Vaari’ as the means of reviving performance art in Pakistan.Obwohl der Ausbruch von Shakespeares Hamlet in alltäglichen performativen Situationen, Verities und der variablen theatralisch-performativen Welt im Laufe der Jahrhunderte weit verbreitet ist, verstanden und akzeptiert wird, sind die Gründe für seine Rückkehr nicht vollständig erforscht. Die Entschlüsselung der Mechanismen, durch die es überlebt hat, bieten ein gutes Modell für die Entfaltung des zeitgenössischen pakistanischen Theaters. Eine Übersicht oder ein „Denken“ der semiotischen Darstellungen in verschiedenen Formen, ohne diskriminierende Analyse, hilft dabei sich auf einige der wesentlichen Aspekte zu konzentrieren, die dem Performance-Text das Überleben in den Zeiten ermöglichen. Meine Arbeit beinhaltet eine solche Analyse. Ziel dieser Studie war es, zwei Fragen zu untersuchen: Erstens, warum kehrt Hamlet ständig in die zeitgenössische Performance zurück? Und zweitens, gibt es in Pakistan einen ähnlichen Text, Charakter oder eine ähnliche Situation, durch die wir die Performance-Kunst des Landes strukturieren können? Um diese Fragen zu untersuchen, habe ich die literarischen und Performance-Texte von Hamlet sowie die literarische Theorie, insbesondere die Affekttheorie und die Performance-Philosophie, untersucht. Diese Studie zeigte einen Zusammenhang zwischen Geschichte, Kultur, Einfluss und Publikum. In der Tat könnte ich die traditionellen Punjabi-Darsteller von 'Vaar' mit den Darstellern aus Hamlet in verbindung bringen, die von der starken Geschichte und Kultur des affektiven Feldes von Hamlet betroffen sind. Ich fand jedoch, dass Vaari-Darsteller sich auf ihre Stimme und Geschichte stützten, basierend auf mündlichen Erzählungs und nicht auf den Text. Diese Erkenntis legt nahe, dass Pakistan auf den historisch populären mündlichen Erzählungen aufbauen kann, um sein Theater zu gestalten. Ich fand heraus, dass Schriftsteller, die mit der Geschichte und Kultur des Landes vertraut sind, bereits solche Versuche unternommen haben. In Zukunft kann sich das Theater in Pakistan darauf konzentrieren, diese Erzählungen weiter zu entwickeln, zu variieren und wiederzugeben. In dieser Dissertation wurde die Wiedergeburt des "Vaari" als Mittel zur Aktivierung der Performance-Kunst in Pakistan thematisiert

Use of Various Chelates as Soil Extractants

Four chelating agents—DTPA, EDTA, AB-DTPA and six molarities of sodium gluconate (0.005M, 0.01M, 0.015M, 0.02M, 0.025M and 0.03M) were compared as extractants for Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Pb, Ni, Cr and Cd in 5 diverse soils collected at different locations surrounding Peshawar from 0-30cm depth. Soil samples were also analyzed for soil chemical properties. The data of chemical analysis showed that soil pH was alkaline in nature. Electrical conductivity values of soil samples showed that the samples were non saline. Organic matter was found deficient and medium in 40 and 40 % samples respectively. AB-DTPA was the most effective extractant for Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni, and Cr whereas EDTA was the most effective extractant for Cd and Zn. An increasing trend in extractability of the nutrient was observed with an increase in the molarities of sodium gluconate. Keywords: DTPA, EDTA, AB-DTPA, soil pH, Electrical conductivity, mineral nutrient

Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Firms Financial Performance and Shareholders wealth

Our research has the basic purpose of finding the impact of corporate social responsibility on shareholders wealth and firms financial performance. We have selected three variables consisting of independent variable (corporate social responsibility), and dependent variable (firms financial performance and shareholders wealth) to conduct our research to find out the impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Shareholders wealth and Firms Financial Performance. We tried to examine the effect either it is positive or negative between social corporate responsibility and shareholders wealth, firms financial performance. We have selected the sample of 10 firms that are highly rated as corporate social responsibility firms and 10 Non corporate social responsibility firms and evaluate their financial performance measures in accounting terms like ROA and ROE and shareholders wealth measures like EPS and stock price and try to find out whether there is any difference present between financial performance and shareholders wealth in CSR and Non CSR firms and supports our results by doing previous literature survey about that topic. Our research result shows the significant positive relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility and firm’s financial performance and shareholders wealth. Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, Firms Financial Performance; Shareholders Wealth, Corporate Social Responsibility Firms, Non- Corporate Social Responsibility Firms