From Intervention to Exit: American Foreign Policymaking towards Afghanistan

Abstract This thesis examines United States foreign policy towards Afghanistan as a contemporary piece of analysis informed by Foreign Policy Analysis. As part of its Global War on Terror, the Bush Administration intervened in Afghanistan in early October 2001, and only in June 2011 did the Obama Administration decide to begin to end US involvement in Afghanistan. During these eleven years, a timeline which is the subject of this thesis, the US Global War on Terror policy in Afghanistan experienced a number of changes, evolving from a policy of ‘abandonment’ prior to the 9/11 terrorist acts to a military ‘intervention’, from a ‘counterterrorism’ to a ‘counter-insurgency’ strategy, from ‘destroying’ terrorism to ‘containing’ it, from treating the Taliban as ‘terrorists’ to declaring them as ‘non-terrorists’, from the goal of ‘defeating’ the Taliban to ‘degrading’ them, from seeing Afghanistan as having compelling relevance to US national security interests to seeing it as having minimal importance, and from intending to spend as long as it took to secure a ‘democratic’ and ‘strong’ Afghanistan to the objective of establishing a ‘good enough’ state so that the US could have a quick exit. Four decisions are identified to signify these developmental turning points: the decision to intervene in late-2001; the decision to employ a counterterrorism strategy in early 2002; the decision to approve a counter-insurgency strategy in late-2009; and the decision to begin to withdraw US troops in June 2011. Informed by the Foreign Policy Decision-Making Approach from Foreign Policy Analysis, this research analyses what the United States foreign policy towards Afghanistan was at each of the four turning points, and how and why it was constructed. Policymakers’ idiosyncratic characteristics, especially their belief systems and images, their bureaucratic positions and personal ties, domestic influences, and, most importantly, ‘false assumptions’, are those causal factors shown to be responsible for the resulting strategy for the Global War on Terror, which began in Afghanistan, and later for the abovementioned strategy changes. One of the main arguments of this thesis is that the assumptions made by both the Bush and the Obama Administrations were ill-informed and misjudged, and derived from rigid ideologies rather than realities on the ground in Afghanistan, and that therefore the policy choices failed at the implementation phases, greatly triggering the aforementioned changes in the Global War on Terror strategy in Afghanistan over the course of the eleven years

RANCANG BANGUN SISTEM INFORMASI JASA DAN PENJUALAN BERBASIS WEBSITE PADA SALON DYNA

Abstract Web-Based Service and Sales Information System at Salon Dina can facilitate the sales process at Salon Dina. With the existence of a web-based service and sales information system at the dina salon, it can improve the quality of service and data management at the dina salon. In addition, the salon can easily process sales data, goods data, purchase data and user data stored in the database. In this study, the author discusses how to design and build a Service and Sales Information System at Salon Dina. The system development methodology used is the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) waterfall model which includes the stages of needs analysis, system design, system implementation and system testing. This system is built using the Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) programming language, the framework uses CodeIgniter and the database server uses MySQL. The results to be achieved in this study are, Service and Sales Information Systems at Salon Dina. With the construction of this system, it is hoped that it can help the salon in processing sales data, goods data, purchase data and user data to be more effective and structured. Keywords: Sales, Information Systems, System Development Life Cycle (SDLC), We

Comparing information extraction between instance-based data models and relational data models

Instance-based representation has been developed to overcome the limitations of class- based models for storing data. A class-based data model organizes data into pre- defined classes that represent specific entities within a domain. However, instance- based model introduces two separated layers for representing instance and classes, freeing instances from pre-defined, fixed schemas and enabling more dynamic and exible data representations. Despite the well-established theoretical foundations of instance-based representation, there is little empirical research that investigates its practical usefulness. In this study, we conduct an experiment to compare the effec- tiveness of information extraction between instance-based data models and class-based data models. Participants randomly received data represented using data structured according to one of the models and answered information extraction/retrieval questions. The results show that, depending on the type of information extraction task, one representation supported more effective retrieval than the other, suggesting that the models can be complementary. In complex use cases including extracting infor- mation about relationships of instance/entities and retrieving information involving instances from different classes, the instance-based model outperformed the class- based model. On the other hand, for simpler use cases involving extracting infor- mation about cardinalities of relationships and retrieving information involving only one entity (i.e., instances from a same class), the class-based model proved to be more effective. The findings both provide empirical evidence for the effectiveness and usefulness of the instance-based model and demonstrate how it can complement the class-based model in representing the domain

Satu tinjauan terhadap pencapaian pelajar-pelajar tahun satu dalam mata pelajaran matematik di Kolej Universiti Teknologi Tun Hussien Onn

Kajian ini dijalankan bagi mengenalpasti pencapaian pelajar kejuruteraan di Kolej Universiti Teknologi Tun Hussien Onn dalam mata pelajaran Matematik. Tujuan kajian ini dijalankan adalah untuk menilai tahap faktor-faktor yang dikenalpasti menyumbang kepada pencapaian pelajar dalam matematik. Empat faktor yang telah dikenalpasti adalah minat dan sikap pelajar, kaedah pengajaran pendidik, kaedah pembelajaran pelajar dan juga persekitaran pembelajaran. Instrumen kajian yang digunakan adalah melalui borang soal selidik yang diedarkan kepada 100 orang responden. Walaubagaimana pun hanya 80 orang responden memberikan maklum balas. Data yang diperolehi dianalisis menggunakan kaedah peratusan bagi tujuan mengenalpasti tahap bagi setiap faktor yang dikaji. Penentuan tahap terbahagi kepada tahap tinggi, sederhana dan rendah yang mana ditentukan mengikut peratusan skor bagi setiap responden. Dapatan kaj ian mendapati bahawa maj oriti responden memberikan skor bagi tahap sederhana bagi kesemua faktor yang dikaji. Oleh yang demikian, terdapat beberapa cadangan yang diusulkan kepada pelajar, pendidik serta pihak-pihak yang terlibat secara langsung atau tidak dengan matematik bagi meningkatkan pencapaian pel ajar dalam mata pelajaran matematik ini

Ensemble learning for detecting gene-gene interactions in colorectal cancer

The fundamental task of human genetics is to detect genetic variations that primarily contribute to a disease phenotype. The most popular method for understanding etiology of human inheritable diseases (e.g., cancer) is to utilize genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common cause of deaths in developed countries; specifically, it has a high incidence rate in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Therefore, finding the affecting genetic factors associated with CRC can help better understand the disease in order to more effectively treat and prevent it. This study seeks to identify genetic variations associated with CRC using machine learning including feature selection and ensemble learning algorithms. In this study, we analyze a GWAS dataset on CRC collected from Newfoundland population. First, we perform quality control steps on the raw genetic data and prepare it for the machine learning methods. Second, we investigate six feature selection methods through a comparative study by applying them to a simulated dataset and CRC GWAS data. The best feature selection method, in terms of gene-gene interactions, is then used to choose a subset of more relevant features for the next step analysis. Subsequently, two ensemble algorithms, Random Forests and Gradient Boosting machine, are applied to the reduced data to identify significant interacting genetic markers associated with CRC. Last, the findings from machine learning methods are biologically validated using online databases and enrichment analysis tools. From the results of the ensemble algorithms, 44 significant genetic markers are detected in which 29 of them have corresponding genes in DNA. Among them, genes DCC, ALK and ITGA1 are previously found to be associated with CRC. In addition, there are genes E2F3 and NID2, which have the potential of having association with CRC, because of their already known associations with other types of cancer. Moreover, the biological interpretations of these genes reveal biological pathways that may help predict the risk of the disease and better understand the etiology of the disease

Ensemble learning for detecting gene-gene interactions in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has a high incident rate in both men and women and is affecting millions of people every year. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on CRC have successfully revealed common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with CRC risk. However, they can only explain a very limited fraction of the disease heritability. One reason may be the common uni-variable analyses in GWAS where genetic variants are examined one at a time. Given the complexity of cancers, the non-additive interaction effects among multiple genetic variants have a potential of explaining the missing heritability. In this study, we employed two powerful ensemble learning algorithms, random forests and gradient boosting machine (GBM), to search for SNPs that contribute to the disease risk through non-additive gene-gene interactions. We were able to find 44 possible susceptibility SNPs that were ranked most significant by both algorithms. Out of those 44 SNPs, 29 are in coding regions. The 29 genes include ARRDC5, DCC, ALK, and ITGA1, which have been found previously associated with CRC, and E2F3 and NID2, which are potentially related to CRC since they have known associations with other types of cancer. We performed pairwise and three-way interaction analysis on the 44 SNPs using information theoretical techniques and found 17 pairwise (p < 0.02) and 16 three-way (p ≤ 0.001) interactions among them. Moreover, functional enrichment analysis suggested 16 functional terms or biological pathways that may help us better understand the etiology of the disease

Propuesta de Intervención en el Problema de Salud Pública Sobre Desnutrición en Niños y Niñas Menores de 5 Años en el Corregimiento de Puerto Colombia Jurisdicción del Municipio de Inírida Departamento del Guainía

Tablas, Graficas, linkEn la nuestra propuesta de intervención se presenta un problema de salud pública que afecta a muchos niños menores de 5 años del corregimiento de Puerto Colombia, Jurisdicción del Inírida, departamento de Guainía, esto como consecuencia de la desnutrición especialmente de la comunidades indígenas y rurales, pues las condiciones sociales y económicas determinadas por las inequidades, ejercen un efecto negativo en estas comunidades, estas problemáticas son consecuencia de tantos conflictos, cambio climático por sequias o inundaciones, hábitos alimentarios y la crisis económica. El departamento del Guainía tiene muy pocas vías de acceso, su comunicación con el interior del país es muy costosa, se hace por vía aérea y fluvial, quizás esto sea un limitante para su desarrollo económico y social, la seguridad alimentaria y nutricional de la población es vulnerada, pues la situación económica, social, ambiental, cultural, de violencia y política en la cual está inmerso el departamento, limitan a los hogares a gozar de este derecho, debido a las deficientes condiciones sanitarias y ambientales, que viven los guainianos. Estos factores nos impulsan a trabajar de manera eficiente en nuestra propuesta de intervención, que está enfocada en disminuir los índices de desnutrición en el corregimiento de puerto Colombia, con la que se busca generar una serie de estrategias y actividades en pro de incentivar estilos de vida en ésta comunidad, de la mano de actores implicados como IPS,EPS, aguas del Guainía, alcaldes, ICBF, está propuesta va de la mano de PyP puesto que antes que nada buscamos educar a la comunidad en temas de alimentación sana y estilos de vida saludable siendo esto menos costoso que asumir un tratamiento por desnutrición.Our intervention proposal presents a public health problem that affects many children under 5 years of age in the town of Puerto Colombia, Jurisdiction del Inírida, department of Guainía, this as a consequence of malnutrition, especially in indigenous and rural communities. because the social and economic conditions determined by inequities, exert a negative effect on these communities, these problems are a consequence of so many conflicts, climate change due to droughts or floods, eating habits and the economic crisis. The department of Guainía has very few access roads, its communication with the interior of the country is very expensive, it is done by air and river, perhaps this is a limitation for its economic and social development, the food and nutritional security of the population It is violated, because the economic, social, environmental, cultural, violent and political situation in which the department is immersed, limits households to enjoy this right, due to the deficient sanitary and environmental conditions that Guainianos live. These factors drive us to work efficiently on our intervention proposal, which is focused on reducing malnutrition rates in the town of Puerto Colombia, which seeks to generate a series of strategies and activities in favor of encouraging lifestyles. In this community, in the hands of involved actors such as IPS, EPS, Water of Guainía, mayors, ICBF, this proposal goes hand in hand with PyP since, first of all, we seek to educate the community on issues of healthy eating and lifestyles healthy being this less expensive than undergoing treatment for malnutritio

Diseño del proceso de selección de personal para el cargo de asesor comercial en el canal de distribución contact center en la empresa TRS Partes S.A.

Este proyecto tiene como fin identificar los beneficios para la empresa TRS Partes al diseñar un proceso de selección de personal para el cargo de asesor comercial en el canal de distribución contact center que permita identificar en los candidatos las actitudes, habilidades y competencias requeridas para desempeñar el cargo de vendedor, esta investigación, busca fortalecer, mejorar el proceso de vinculación con un paso a paso que cuente con las estrategias y herramientas con el fin de escoger los mejores candidatos para el desempeño de sus cargos aumentando la productividad, construcción de valor para la compañía y minimizar los riesgos de rotación de personal y costos de contratación. Para obtener estos resultados se decide implementar una metodología de investigación descriptiva con el fin de esclarecer las causas del fenómeno del estudio, utilizando un enfoque cuantitativo aplicando una encuesta virtual, de duración corta y cerrada a algunos funcionarios del área comercial de la empresa, para identificar sus conceptos respecto al proceso de reclutamiento, selección, entrenamiento, capacitación y evaluación del personal. Obteniendo importantes resultados que permiten realizar el diseño de un proceso de selección de personal para el cargo de vendedor en el canal de distribución contact center que conduce al alcance de los objetivos planteados.The purpose of this project is to identify the benefits for the company TRS Partes when designing a personnel selection process for the position of commercial advisor in the contact center distribution channel that allows the identification of candidates with the attitudes, skills and competencies required to perform the job. seller position, this research seeks to strengthen, improve the linkage process with a step by step that has the strategies and tools in order to choose the best candidates for the performance of their positions, increasing productivity, building value for the company and minimize the risks of staff turnover and recruitment costs. In order to obtain these results, it was decided to implement a descriptive research methodology in order to clarify the causes of the study phenomenon, using a quantitative approach applying a virtual survey, of short duration and closed to some officials of the commercial area of the company, to identify their concepts regarding the process of recruitment, selection, training, training and evaluation of personnel. Obtaining important results that allow the design of a personnel selection process for the sales position in the contact center distribution channel that leads to the achievement of the proposed objectives

Infección respiratoria aguda - IRA en el Departamento del Huila

En este documento con el fin de reconocer la importancia de las acciones de vigilancia y control epidemiológico en salud pública, se identifica la enfermedad de mayor incidencia en el departamento del Huila, con sus datos estadísticos de los últimos 10 años, descripción de la historia natural de esta enfermedad, además de los programas y estrategias implementadas por las instituciones encargadas de su control.In this document in order to recognize the importance of epidemiological surveillance and control actions in public health, identify the disease with the highest incidence in the department of Huila, with statistical data of the last 10 years, description of the natural history of this disease, in addition to the programs and strategies implemented by the institutions in charge of their control

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication