For an Afghan Minority US Involvement has been a Blessing and a Curse

My capstone is about, Hazaras, an ethnic and religious minority long persecuted in Afghanistan. But after the U.S.-led invasion in 2001, they made remarkable progress in education, politics, economics, art and culture. That success did not go unnoticed by militant groups. Hazaras are increasingly becoming the target of deadly attacks. Over 350 of them have been killed and more than 750 wounded in at least 13 targeted bombings since June 2016. And these attacks forcing Hazaras to flee the country to Europe. They were massacred and forced from their lands throughout the 19 and 20th centuries in religious and ethnic conflicts. But the recent wave of deadly killings may have been triggered by another reason: Most young Hazaras embracing western liberal values a country where most people moving toward Islamization in the last 16 years. In other words, the capstone is about a minority that thrived under the shadow of the U.S. presence in Afghanistan and now they have to face the consequences of the alliance with the U.S. and its western allies. http://www.sharifh.co

Framework For Modeling Attacker Capabilities with Deception

In this research we built a custom experimental range using opensource emulated and custom pure honeypots designed to detect or capture attacker activity. The focus is to test the effectiveness of a deception in its ability to evade detection coupled with attacker skill levels. The range consists of three zones accessible via virtual private networking. The first zone houses varying configurations of opensource emulated honeypots, custom built pure honeypots, and real SSH servers. The second zone acts as a point of presence for attackers. The third zone is for administration and monitoring. Using the range, both a control and participant-based experiment were conducted. We conducted control experiments to baseline and empirically explore honeypot detectability amongst other systems through adversarial testing. We executed a series of tests such as network service sweep, enumeration scanning, and finally manual execution. We also selected participants to serve as cyber attackers against the experiment range of varying skills having unique tactics, techniques and procedures in attempting to detect the honeypots. We have concluded the experiments and performed data analysis. We measure the anticipated threat by presenting the Attacker Bias Perception Profile model. Using this model, each participant is ranked based on their overall threat classification and impact. This model is applied to the results of the participants which helps align the threat to likelihood and impact of a honeypot being detected. The results indicate the pure honeypots are significantly difficult to detect. Emulated honeypots are grouped in different categories based on the detection and skills of the attackers. We developed a framework abstracting the deceptive process, the interaction with system elements, the use of intelligence, and the relationship with attackers. The framework is illustrated by our experiment case studies and the attacker actions, the effects on the system, and impact to the success

Study of Charged Celestial Objects in Modified Gravity

In this paper, we assess different charged self-gravitating stellar models possessing anisotropic matter source in the background of $f(G,T)$ gravity. For this purpose, we choose a well-known model of this gravity, i.e., $f(G,T)=G^2+\varrho T$, where $\varrho$ stands for the coupling constant. The modified field equations are developed using MIT bag model equation of state, and their solution is found with the help of Tolman IV ansatz which contains three unknown constants. This solution is further exploited to examine the graphical behavior of Her X-I, PSR J1614-2230, 4U1820-30 and LMC X-4 celestial objects. We assume two different values of charge to figure out the pressure constituents, energy density, anisotropy and energy constraints graphically. We also discuss compactness, mass and redshift parameters. Finally, we explore stability of the considered stars through two different methods. It is concluded that all the star candidates are viable as well as stable for $\mathcal{Q}=0.1$. For the larger charge, the viable behavior is also observed for all stars but PSR J1614-2230 shows unstable trend.Comment: 33 figures, 7 figure

Complexity of Charged Dynamical Spherical System in Modified Gravity

In this paper, we consider the effect of electromagnetic field to the definition of complexity in the context of $f(G,T)$ gravity, where $G$ and $T$ express the Gauss-Bonnet term and energy-momentum tensor, respectively. The physical parameters such as anisotropic pressure, charge, energy density inhomogeneity, heat dissipation and correction terms are found responsible to induce complexity within the self-gravitating objects. The scalar functions are determined using Herrera's orthogonal splitting approach, which results in a complexity factor that includes all of the system's essential features. Furthermore, we investigate the dynamics of charged spherical distribution by choosing homologous mode as the simplest evolutionary pattern. Dissipative and non-dissipative cases associated with complexity free and homologous conditions are also discussed. Finally, we study the components responsible for producing complexity during the evolution process. We deduce that the inclusion of extra curvature terms and charge in $f(G, T)$ gravity enhances the complexity of the self-gravitating structure.Comment: 26 pages, no figur

Analysis of Complexity Factor for Charged Dissipative Configuration in Modified Gravity

In this paper, we determine the electromagnetic effects on the complexity factor of radiating anisotropic cylindrical geometry in the background of $f(G,\mathcal{T})$ theory. The self-gravitating objects possessing inhomogeneous energy density, pressure anisotropy, heat flux, charge and correction terms appear to encounter the complexity producing phase. Herrera's orthogonal splitting method is used to identify the scalar functions in which the factor that incorporates all of the fundamental aspects of the system is assumed to be the complexity factor. We also look at the evolution of charged cylindrical matter source by selecting homologous pattern as the most basic evolutionary mode. In addition to this, homologous and complexity free conditions are utilized to address dissipative as well as non-dissipative scenarios. The complexity producing parameters throughout the evolutionary process are assessed at the end. It is concluded that the complexity of the astrophysical entities is elevated due to the contribution of charge and modified terms of this theory.Comment: 28 pages, no figur

How do the poor cope with shocks in Bangladesh ? evidence from survey data

This paper uses household survey data collected in September-October 2009 on a nationally representative sample of 2,000 households in Bangladesh to examine the nature of shocks experienced by households over the preceding 12 months and the type of coping mechanisms that were adopted. The analysis finds that more than half the sample claimed to have faced a shock -- economic, health, climatic, or asset related -- over the previous year. Surprisingly, the non-poor face a larger share of these shocks compared with the poor. A closer look at this result shows that the non-poor report a significantly larger share of"asset-related"shocks, which is consistent with the fact that the poor have fewer assets to lose. Health-related shocks dominate and households appear to have coped with these shocks through savings and loans, help from friends, and depletion of assets. The results show that households, when faced with covariate shocks due to climatic reasons, are less able to cope. As would be expected, the poor are less able to cope with shocks compared with the non-poor; the poor are more likely to use coping mechanisms that could have negative welfare implications in the longer term, including the depletion of assets, reduction of essential consumption, and use of high-interest loans. Econometric analysis suggests that geographical location, socio-economic status, and access to microfinance all affect the ability to cope with shocks. Policy implications include the importance of developing safety nets that take into account the vulnerability to climate-related shocks and further developing the links between micro-finance and safety net programs.Access to Finance,Safety Nets and Transfers,Rural Poverty Reduction,Small Area Estimation Poverty Mapping,Housing&Human Habitats

Impact of WTO’s Trade Liberalisation on Selected Food Crops in Pakistan

WTO has major implications for almost all the sectors of economy but agriculture sector is the one which is more prone to the implementation of its agreements, particularly the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA). The study intended to evaluate the impact of WTO on domestic ma rket and farm-level prices, production and consumption of major food commodities like wheat and rice and ultimately their impact on the producer’s and consumer’s surpluses. The farm level impact was also evaluated to chalk out the eventual position at farm level with the purpose to identify necessary policies and actions to cope with the new world situation. The study tries to provide a useful guide to the likely impacts of agricultural trade liberalisation. It was found that openness of the economy would affect the domestic demand, supply and consumption along with affecting the producer and consumer surpluses. It was estimated that increased prices would have increased production of wheat which would have generated a gain of producer’s surplus of Rs 10,682 million. On the other hand due to increased wholesale price of wheat, the domestic demand of wheat would have declined and caused a loss to consumer surplus of Rs 12,557 million. Similarly, the increased production of rice would have generated a gain of producer’s surplus of Rs 3,708 million. However, due to increase in the wholesale price of rice, its domestic demand would have declined thus causing a loss to consumers’ surplus. Overall the impact of the increase in the international price of wheat would have resulted in a net loss to Pakistan of Rs 1,875 million during 2004-05 while in case of rice it would have resulted in a gain of Rs 1,215 million in 2004-05.Trade Liberalisation, Food Crops, Export, Consumer Surplus, Comparative Advantage, Free Trade.

Mechanical performance of intelligent asphalt mixture utilizing rejuvenator encapsulated method

In this study, in order to evaluate the effects of heavy vacuum slops (H.V.S) as rejuvenator and nano-Zycosil as an anti-stripping agent on used encapsulation method and mechanical performance of asphalt mixture samples, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), computerized tomography (CT) scan and thermal gravimetric (TG) analyses and also, indirect tensile strength (ITS) and indirect tensile fatigue (ITF) tests were performed. First, an encapsulation procedure to prepare different specimens including modified and unmodified samples with nano-Zycosil was done. In the following, morphology of the nano-Zycosil-modified capsules and aggregates were particularly evaluated. Considering the morphology evaluation and TG analysis diagrams, it was found that most of the capsules resisted the mixing procedure of the asphalt mixture. So, the encapsulation procedure used in this study was a successful technique. In addition, modification with nano-Zycosil as an anti-stripping agent significantly improved the adhesion strength in the matrix of capsules-aggregates-asphalt binder by converting the adhesion type from silanolian to siloxane. Overall, modification of capsules and main aggregates together with nano-Zycosil significantly improved moisture resistance and mechanical performance of asphalt mixture samples

A Study on Lectures Teaching Quality from Students Perspective in Education Faculty of Bamyan University in 2022

Research on teaching quality in universities is one of the most important issues that provide valuable feedback for analyzing educational issues, making critical decisions, and strategic planning for educational authorities and practitioners. On the other hand, with knowledge of their own performance quality during teaching, instructors will be able to improve teaching methods and approaches, thus enhancing the quality of their teaching. The aim of this research is to assess the teaching quality at the Faculty of Education in Bamyan University. In this study, a sample of 283 students from the Faculty of Education was selected using the Four-Multiplier Cochran technique, which employed a convenience sampling method. The Rasouli Teaching Quality Questionnaire (2010) was used to collect the data, which has good validity (0.8) and reliability. It consists of 28 Likert-scale items ranging from "very low" to "very high" and is composed of dimensions such as subject mastery, lesson planning and design, guidance and counseling, communication skills, ethical considerations, and classroom management. This research is a descriptive-survey study with practical applications based on its results. It has a foreign background, and among them, Piry Mohammad study conducted in 2018 at Malayer University in Iran titled "Satisfaction with the Quality of University Teaching," Arzo Mohammadi and colleagues' study in 2015 at Tehran University of Medical Sciences titled "Teaching Quality and its Relationship with Academic Motivation," and Hermz Seynai Nasab and colleagues' study in 2019 at Shahid Modarres University titled "Investigating the Quality of Teaching from the Perspective of Students" can be mentioned. The findings of this research indicate that the teaching quality at the Faculty of Education in Bamyan University is at a desirable level, SPSS21 software was used for data analysis, and a one-sample t-test was employed to analyze the research questions