Trends of Radicalization among the Ranks of the Afghan National Police

This study examines and compares trends of radicalization among the ranks of Afghan National Police (ANP) force across eleven provinces in Afghanistan. This is the first part of an ongoing series of papers dedicated to examining the evolving trends in radicalization among the Afghan National Defense and Security Force (ANDSF). Since the formation of the defense and security in 2002, various potential manifestations of radicalization, including insider attacks, dereliction of duty, and desertion have plagued its ranks. Radicalization is broadly defined as constraints on both the perspective of individuals and their tolerance to ideology and practices which diverge and differentiate from their own political, religious and social beliefs. Making the distinction between political deviance (PD), religious extremism (RE), and social intolerance (SI), 1498 uniformed rank and file personnel, 151 commissioned officers, and 8 uniformed religious leaders from among the ANP were surveyed on their views toward the political system in Afghanistan, anti-government elements including the Taliban, democracy in light of Islamic values, and women and human rights

The Suggested Reciprocal Relationship between Maximum, Minimum and Optimum Usable Frequency Parameters Over Iraqi Zone

تم في هذا البحث دراسة العلاقة بين المعاملات الأيونوسفيرية(MUF, LUF and OWF)  لطبقه الغلاف الأيوني فوق منطقة العراق. لقد تم اختيار العاصمة بغداد (44.42oE, 33.32oN) لتمثل محطه الإرسال بينما العديد من المدن الأخرى التي انتشرت فوق المنطقة العراقية تم اختيارها لتمثل محطات استقبال. استخدم نموذج الاتصالات REC533 الذي يعتبر أحد إصدارات الأرسال الحديثة للاتحاد الدولي للاتصالات لحساب معامل الـ LUF، في حين ان المعاملات الأيونسفيرية(OWF, MUF)  فقد تم حسابها باستخدام نموذج الاتصالات الدولي ASAPS الذي يعد واحدا من أكثر نماذج اتصالات الترددات العالية دقة وتطوراً. لقد أجريت الدراسة للفترات الزمنية السنوية والفصلية للسنوات (2009 و2014) من الدورة الشمسية 24. بينت نتائج الاختبارات الفصلية والسنوية ان العلاقة التبادلية بين معاملات (OWF, MUF) مع معامل الـLUF  هي معادله متعددة الحدود من المرتبة الرابعة، في حين ان العلاقة التبادلية بين معاملات الـ (OWF, MUF) هي علاقة بسيطة يمكن تمثيلها بمعادله انحدار خطيه. كما أظهرت العلاقات التبادلية بين معاملات الـ MUF, LUF, OWF (القيم الحالية) تطابقاً جيداً مع البيانات المحسوبة من استخدام النماذج الدولية (القيم المتوقعة) والقيم النظرية المحسوبة من المعيار الدولي المعتمد.In this work, the relationship between the ionospheric parameters (Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF), Lowest Usable Frequency (LUF) and Optimum working Frequency (OWF)) has been studied for the ionosphere layer over the Iraqi zone. The capital Baghdad (44.42oE, 33.32oN) has been selected to represent the transmitter station and many other cities that spread over Iraqi region have represented as receiver stations. The REC533 communication model considered as one of the modern radio broadcasting version of ITU has been used to calculate the LUF parameter, while the MUF and OWF ionospheric parameters have been generated using ASAPS international communication model which represents one of the most advanced  and accurate HF sky wave propagation models. The study has been conducted for the annual and seasonal time periods of the years (2009 and 2014) of the solar cycle 24. The results of the seasonal and annual tests have indicated that the interrelationship between the MUF and OWF with LUF was a fourth order polynomial equation, while the reciprocal relationship between the MUF and OWF was a simple relationship that could be represented by a linear regression equation. The reciprocal relationships between MUF, LUF and OWF parameters (present values) have shown a good fitting with the data generated using the international models (predicted values) and theoretical values calculated from the criterion equation

Differential Evolution Based Special Protection and Control Scheme for Contingency Monitoring of Transmission Line Overloading

In designing System Protection Schemes (SPSs) in a power system, protecting transmission lines against severe undesired conditions becomes a serious effort in minimizing line overloading. In this paper, a Special Protection and Control Scheme (SPCS) based on Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm for optimal generation rescheduling to mitigate line overloads in contingency conditions has been presented. Simulation results for various N − 1 contingency conditions within the considered power system under base case load are proposed and validated with those results from the Genetic Algorithm (GA). Minimum severity index has been undertaken as the objective function of this research work. The final results prove that the DE based algorithm gives better than GA in terms of the speed of convergence and minimum generation fuel cost. IEEE 30-bus test system was used to verify the effectiveness of the implemented methods

Malaysian general election: offence and misconduct of bribery / Ahmad Hafiz Abdul Hair...[et al.]

The topic of our project paper is quite difficult to be conducted, in term of how we obtained the resources for the references. We initially decided to conduct this project paper, due to the fact that there are a lot of allegations on the misconduct of some of the campaigners in order to ensure that the voters in the constituencies vote in favour for the candidates. In spite of the fact that this topic is quite controversial to be discussed, we did try our best to take this challenge as we believe that the topic must not only to be analyzed from the perspective of political view, but it is also important for us to look at it from the perspective of academic analysis. The main reason for this research is to study, especially on judicial approaches relating the problem. We started our research with some reading and analysis on the issue in this topic. It was not as difficult as it ought to be, on the basis of the availability of the sources to be accessed electronically, especially by using online resources. Then, we started to analyze all those information by comparing the cases that we have in Malaysia with the cases decided in United Kingdom. The outcome of the research were then be presented and then were put in the recommendation on how such weaknesses are to be improve

Differential evolution based special protection and control scheme for contingency monitoring of transmission line overloading

In designing System Protection Schemes (SPSs) in a power system, protecting transmission lines against severe undesired conditions becomes a serious effort in minimizing line overloading. In this paper, a Special Protection and Control Scheme (SPCS) based on Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm for optimal generation rescheduling to mitigate line overloads in contingency conditions has been presented. Simulation results for various N − 1 contingency conditions within the considered power system under base case load are proposed and validated with those results from the Genetic Algorithm (GA). Minimum severity index has been undertaken as the objective function of this research work. The final results prove that the DE based algorithm gives better than GA in terms of the speed of convergence and minimum generation fuel cost. IEEE 30-bus test system was used to verify the effectiveness of the implemented methods

NUMERICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON THE EFFECT OF RESTRICTION SHAPE ON CHARACTERISTICS OF AIRFLOW IN A SQUARE DUCT

 Experimental and numerical investigation has been under taken to study turbulent flow of air through duct using restriction in different shapes and positions for Reynolds numbers ranges of (8.2x104 → 5.6x104).The numerical approach used in this work is the finite volume method for solution of elliptic partial differential equation for the modeling of turbulent (k-) model as well as wall function concept near the wall which was used to take the turbulent effects into consideration have been employed.The experimental test rigs were constructed from Perspex, and a fivehole pressure probe was used to measure the three component of air flow velocity vector in space.The results show that the total pressure drop depends on the shape and position of the restriction, and the pressure drop coefficient due to the restriction shape and position (kR) depends on two parameters; blockage area ratio (Ab) and the ratio between wetted perimeter to the free remainder perimeter (pe/Pe) and dose not depend on the Reynolds number ( for the same blockage area ratio Ab if the pe/Pe increases 40%, the coefficient kR increases 7% , and for the same pe/Pe, if the blockage area ratio increases 50% ,the coefficient kR increases 10%). But the pressure drop coefficient due to the friction (Cf) is a function of Reynolds.

Maternal mortality and morbidity burden in the Eastern Mediterranean region : findings from the Global Burden of Disease 2015 study

Assessing the burden of maternal mortality is important for tracking progress and identifying public health gaps. This paper provides an overview of the burden of maternal mortality in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) by underlying cause and age from 1990 to 2015. We used the results of the Global Burden of Disease 2015 study to explore maternal mortality in the EMR countries. The maternal mortality ratio in the EMR decreased 16.3% from 283 (241-328) maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 237 (188-293) in 2015. Maternal mortality ratio was strongly correlated with socio-demographic status, where the lowest-income countries contributed the most to the burden of maternal mortality in the region. Progress in reducing maternal mortality in the EMR has accelerated in the past 15 years, but the burden remains high. Coordinated and rigorous efforts are needed to make sure that adequate and timely services and interventions are available for women at each stage of reproductive life

Neonatal, infant, and under-5 mortality and morbidity burden in the Eastern Mediterranean region: findings from the Global Burden of Disease 2015 study

Objectives Although substantial reductions in under-5 mortality have been observed during the past 35 years, progress in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) has been uneven. This paper provides an overview of child mortality and morbidity in the EMR based on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. Methods We used GBD 2015 study results to explore under-5 mortality and morbidity in EMR countries. Results In 2015, 755,844 (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 712,064–801,565) children under 5 died in the EMR. In the early neonatal category, deaths in the EMR decreased by 22.4%, compared to 42.4% globally. The rate of years of life lost per 100,000 population under 5 decreased 54.38% from 177,537 (173,812–181,463) in 1990 to 80,985 (76,308–85,876) in 2015; the rate of years lived with disability decreased by 0.57% in the EMR compared to 9.97% globally. Conclusions Our findings call for accelerated action to decrease child morbidity and mortality in the EMR. Governments and organizations should coordinate efforts to address this burden. Political commitment is needed to ensure that child health receives the resources needed to end preventable deaths

Burden of cancer in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2005-2015: findings from the Global Burden of Disease 2015 Study

Fitzmaurice C, Alsharif U, El Bcheraoui C, et al. Burden of cancer in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2005-2015: findings from the Global Burden of Disease 2015 Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH. 2018;63(Suppl. 1):151-164.To estimate incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) caused by cancer in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) between 2005 and 2015. Vital registration system and cancer registry data from the EMR region were analyzed for 29 cancer groups in 22 EMR countries using the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015 methodology. In 2015, cancer was responsible for 9.4% of all deaths and 5.1% of all DALYs. It accounted for 722,646 new cases, 379,093 deaths, and 11.7 million DALYs. Between 2005 and 2015, incident cases increased by 46%, deaths by 33%, and DALYs by 31%. The increase in cancer incidence was largely driven by population growth and population aging. Breast cancer, lung cancer, and leukemia were the most common cancers, while lung, breast, and stomach cancers caused most cancer deaths. Cancer is responsible for a substantial disease burden in the EMR, which is increasing. There is an urgent need to expand cancer prevention, screening, and awareness programs in EMR countries as well as to improve diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care services

Trends in HIV/AIDS morbidity and mortality in Eastern 3 Mediterranean countries, 1990–2015: findings from the Global 4 Burden of Disease 2015 study

Objectives We used the results of the Global Burden of Disease 2015 study to estimate trends of HIV/AIDS burden in Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) countries between 1990 and 2015. Methods Tailored estimation methods were used to produce final estimates of mortality. Years of life lost (YLLs) were calculated by multiplying the mortality rate by population by age-specific life expectancy. Years lived with disability (YLDs) were computed as the prevalence of a sequela multiplied by its disability weight. Results In 2015, the rate of HIV/AIDS deaths in the EMR was 1.8 (1.4–2.5) per 100,000 population, a 43% increase from 1990 (0.3; 0.2–0.8). Consequently, the rate of YLLs due to HIV/AIDS increased from 15.3 (7.6–36.2) per 100,000 in 1990 to 81.9 (65.3–114.4) in 2015. The rate of YLDs increased from 1.3 (0.6–3.1) in 1990 to 4.4 (2.7–6.6) in 2015. Conclusions HIV/AIDS morbidity and mortality increased in the EMR since 1990. To reverse this trend and achieve epidemic control, EMR countries should strengthen HIV surveillance,and scale up HIV antiretroviral therapy and comprehensive prevention services