Visualizing the influence of geography, oil and geopolitics on civil wars in the Arab world: A novel application of self-organizing maps and duration models

The aim of this paper is to investigate why some internal conflicts are terminated quickly, while others linger for several decades without a looming resolution in the horizon. In an attempt to achieve this objective, the role played by geopolitical factors in the Arab world's internal conflicts was investigated. More specifically, we used Kohonen self-organizing maps, an artificial intelligence-based neural network technique, along with event duration models to investigate the role played by distance from the capital, access to international borders, terrain, valuable natural resources such as oil, and rebels fighting capability in civil wars in the Arab world. Using recently validated data spanning more than 50 years of Arab civil wars (1948–2003), our findings indicate that previously ignored geopolitical factors seem to play an important role in the duration of internal conflicts in the Arab World

CHILDHOOD TRAUMA AND ITS EFFECTS ON PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AND PHYSICAL HEALTH

There is consistent evidence concerning the impact of trauma on children and the effects on psychological well-being. This study aims to investigate the impact of childhood trauma on the psychological resilience, mental health, and physical development of culturally diverse individuals. The study also explores the influence of cultural orientation on psychological and physical well-being. Cultural orientation is the degree to which individuals identify with either individualism or collectivism, two core dimensions of cultural frameworks. The self-construal scale was applied to address the cultural orientation, which significantly covers individualistic and collectivistic aspects. The participants were 97 culturally diverse students from St. John’s University. Participants completed self-questionnaires assessing childhood trauma, resilience, individualism, collectivism, and psychological health. Psychological well-being was assessed across six domains: Automatic regulation, boosted control, integration of importance, perceived competence, relatedness, significance, and identity. The participants with a collectivistic orientation have higher levels of psychological resilience and self-estimated health than those with an individualistic orientation, depending on the type of trauma experienced and on the time that elapsed from the occurrence of trauma. The study provides evidence that culturally sensitive trauma treatment paradigms promote better recovery in trauma survivors, hence subsequent positive psychological and physical health. Keywords: Childhood trauma, psychological resilience, cultural orientation, collectivism, individualism, mental health, physical well-being, trauma interventio

Enabling Technologies for 5G and Beyond: Bridging the Gap between Vision and Reality

It is common knowledge that the fifth generation (5G) of cellular networks will come with drastic transformation in the cellular systems capabilities and will redefine mobile services. 5G (and beyond) systems will be used for human interaction, in addition to person-to-machine and machine-to-machine communications, i.e., every-thing is connected to every-thing. These features will open a whole line of new business opportunities and contribute to the development of the society in many different ways, including developing and building smart cities, enhancing remote health care services, to name a few. However, such services come with an unprecedented growth of mobile traffic, which will lead to heavy challenges and requirements that have not been experienced before. Indeed, the new generations of cellular systems are required to support ultra-low latency services (less than one millisecond), and provide hundred times more data rate and connectivity, all compared to previous generations such as 4G. Moreover, they are expected to be highly secure due to the sensitivity of the transmitted information. Researchers from both academia and industry have been concerting significant efforts to develop new technologies that aim at enabling the new generation of cellular systems (5G and beyond) to realize their potential. Much emphasis has been put on finding new technologies that enhance the radio access network (RAN) capabilities as RAN is considered to be the bottleneck of cellular networks. Striking a balance between performance and cost has been at the center of the efforts that led to the newly developed technologies, which include non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), millimeter wave (mmWave) technology, self-organizing network (SON) and massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO). Moreover, physical layer security (PLS) has been praised for being a potential candidate for enforcing transmission security when combined with cryptography techniques. Although the main concepts of the aforementioned RAN key enabling technologies have been well defined, there are discrepancies between their intended (i.e., vision) performance and the achieved one. In fact, there is still much to do to bridge the gap between what has been promised by such technologies in terms of performance and what they might be able to achieve in real-life scenarios. This motivates us to identify the main reasons behind the aforementioned gaps and try to find ways to reduce such gaps. We first focus on NOMA where the main drawback of existing solutions is related to their poor performance in terms of spectral efficiency and connectivity. Another major drawback of existing NOMA solutions is that transmission rate per user decreases slightly with the number of users, which is a serious issue since future networks are expected to provide high connectivity. To this end, we develop NOMA solutions that could provide three times the achievable rate of existing solutions while maintaining a constant transmission rate per user regardless of the number of connected users. We then investigate the challenges facing mmWave transmissions. It has been demonstrated that such technology is highly sensitive to blockage, which limits its range of communication. To overcome this obstacle, we develop a beam-codebook based analog beam-steering scheme that achieves near maximum beamforming gain performance. The proposed technique has been tested and verified by real-life measurements performed at Bell Labs. Another line of research pursued in this thesis is investigating challenges pertaining to SON. It is known that radio access network self-planning is the most complex and sensitive task due to its impact on the cost of network deployment, etc., capital expenditure (CAPEX). To tackle this issue, we propose a comprehensive self-planning solution that provides all the planning parameters at once while guaranteeing that the system is optimally planned. The proposed scheme is compared to existing solutions and its superiority is demonstrated. We finally consider the communication secrecy problem and investigated the potential of employing PLS. Most of the existing PLS schemes are based on unrealistic assumptions, most notably is the assumption of having full knowledge about the whereabouts of the eavesdroppers. To solve this problem, we introduce a radically novel nonlinear precoding technique and a coding strategy that together allow to establish secure communication without any knowledge about the eavesdroppers. Moreover, we prove that it is possible to secure communications while achieving near transmitter-receiver channel capacity (the maximum theoretical rate)

Myocardial Ischemia and Reperfusion Leads to Transient CD8 Immune Deficiency and Accelerated Immunosenescence in CMV-Seropositive Patients

Rationale: There is mounting evidence of a higher incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in cytomegalovirus (CMV) seropositive individuals. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether acute MI triggers an inflammatory T-cell response that might lead to accelerated immunosenescence in CMV-seropositive patients. Methods and Results: Thirty-four patients with acute MI undergoing primary PCI (PPCI) were longitudinally studied within 3 months following reperfusion (Cohort A). In addition, 54 patients with acute and chronic MI were analyzed in a cross-sectional study (Cohort B). CMV-seropositive patients demonstrated a greater fall in the concentration of terminally differentiated CD8 effector memory T cells (TEMRA) in peripheral blood during the first 30 min of reperfusion compared with CMV-seronegative patients (-192 vs. -63 cells/µl; p=0.008), correlating with the expression of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) before PPCI (r=0.8; p=0.0002). A significant proportion of TEMRA cells remained depleted for at least 3 months in CMV-seropositive patients. Using high-throughput 13-parameter flow cytometry and HLA class I CMV-specific dextramers, we confirmed an acute and persistent depletion of terminally differentiated TEMRA and CMV-specific CD8+ cells in CMV-seropositive patients. Long-term reconstitution of the TEMRA pool in chronic CMV-seropositive post-MI patients was associated with signs of terminal differentiation including an increase in KLRG1 and shorter telomere length in CD8+ T cells (2225 bp vs. 3397 bp; p<0.001). Conclusions: Myocardial ischemia and reperfusion in CMV-seropositive patients undergoing PPCI leads to acute loss of antigen-specific, terminally differentiated CD8 T-cells, possibly through PD-1-dependent programmed cell death. Our results suggest that acute MI and reperfusion accelerate immunosenescence in CMV-seropositive patients

Performance evaluation of polyurethane composites using vacuum infusion process

Glass fiber-reinforced polymer composites have promising applications in infrastructures due to their low cost, high specific stiffness/strength, and corrosion resistance. The pultrusion process is often used to manufacture glass fiber-reinforced polyurethane (PU) composite. The objective of this study is to use thermoset PU resin to manufacture high quality composites for infrastructure applications using vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. Using VARTM to fabricate PU resins presents unique challenges. Several modifications however have helped with overcoming these problems. In part I of the research, the mechanical performance of two different PU resin not only evaluated but also compared to one another. These results were used to determine which PU should be used in the next two parts. The composite panels were fabricated using VARTM process. In part II. VARTM process was used to fabricate reinforced PU composite bridge deck. The bending stiffness, load carrying capacity, and compressive properties of composite bridge deck panels were each evaluated. Commercial finite element software ABAQUS was used to analyze the panels under bending. In part III, design and manufacture composite structure insulation panels were investigated. Development of composites housing requires a unique design approach with components performing several functions beyond carrying mechanical. To meet these challenges, innovative processing techniques combined with new materials technology developed and evaluated. VARTM manufacturing process modified to manufacture multifunctional panels for housing and army shelter applications. A series of mechanical tests were performed on these structural components --Abstract, page iv

Utilisation of deep eutectic solvents for post-combustion carbon capture processes

The rising carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions across the globe, and the resulting negative impact on the environment, have become the focus of a multitude of scientific studies in recent times. Despite the recent technological advancements in the scientific area of carbon capture, reducing and managing CO2 emissions has persisted as a huge challenge to researchers working in this area of research. Conventional carbon capture typically uses amine absorption methods/processes, and while the latest technologies indicate an enhancement of conventional CO2 absorption methods, there is a necessity to investigate options to replace the currently used sorbents with more benign alternatives. This work investigates the viability of using deep eutectic solvents (DESs) from a specific DES system, as novel absorbents for carbon capture absorption processes. The study was divided into two parts, firstly, mixtures/DESs composed of choline chloride (ChCl) and levulinic acid (LvAc) were prepared at different compositions and fully characterised. Secondly, the performance of the prepared compositions in terms of CO2 absorption and desorption, was assessed at different operational conditions. To ensure the suitability of these sorbents for carbon capture processes, the prepared DESs were extensively characterised to identify their nature. ChCl:LvAc DESs were described in terms of their physicochemical properties, including their density, viscosity, thermal stability, and chemical fingerprint (FTIR spectra). These properties have been compared to those of other DESs that have been described in literature. It was essential to identify the nature of ChCl:LvAc mixtures before jumping to the application domain. For the first time in the literature, the phase behaviour plot (solidliquid equilibrium) of binary mixtures of choline chloride and levulinic acid was developed and described. According to the phase behaviour plot, ChCl:LvAc mixtures can only be defined as DESs when the mole percentage of levulinic acid (HBD) is equal or higher than 66.7%. ChCl:LvAc DESs were found to be highly thermally stable at temperatures up to 196 ⁰C. The density and viscosity of the characterised DESs decrease with increasing temperature. These figures make ChCl:LvAc DESs suitable for many engineering applications including carbon capture processes. The corrosivity of the prepared ChCl:LvAc DESs was found to be lower by 92% as compared to the corrosivity of monoethanolamine under the same conditions. The corrosivity of ChCl:LvAc DESs increases with the concentration of levulinic acid, stirring speed, and CO2 concentration, simultaneously, and decreases with increasing the water content in the system. The CO2 absorption capacity of ChCl:LvAc DESs was measured at different conditions using a vapour–liquid equilibrium rig. The experimental results showed that the CO2 absorption capacity of the ChCl:LvAc DESs is strongly affected by the operating pressure and stirring speed, moderately affected by the temperature, and minimally affected by the Hydrogen bond donor (HBD): Hydrogen bond acceptor (HBD) molar ratio as well as water content. A maximum CO2 absorption capacity of 1.58 moles of CO2 per kg of DES (1.58 mol kg-1 ) was measured at 25 °C, 6 bar and stirring speed of 250 rpm for a DES with HBA:HBD molar ratio of 1:3 and a water/HBA molar ratio (water content) of 2.5. The regeneration of the DESs was performed at different temperatures, and an optimal regeneration temperature of 60 °C was obtained. All DESs exhibited good recyclability and moderate CO2/N2 selectivity, with a maximum selectivity value of 5.63 obtained for a mixture of gases containing 50% CO2 and 50% N2.The rising carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions across the globe, and the resulting negative impact on the environment, have become the focus of a multitude of scientific studies in recent times. Despite the recent technological advancements in the scientific area of carbon capture, reducing and managing CO2 emissions has persisted as a huge challenge to researchers working in this area of research. Conventional carbon capture typically uses amine absorption methods/processes, and while the latest technologies indicate an enhancement of conventional CO2 absorption methods, there is a necessity to investigate options to replace the currently used sorbents with more benign alternatives. This work investigates the viability of using deep eutectic solvents (DESs) from a specific DES system, as novel absorbents for carbon capture absorption processes. The study was divided into two parts, firstly, mixtures/DESs composed of choline chloride (ChCl) and levulinic acid (LvAc) were prepared at different compositions and fully characterised. Secondly, the performance of the prepared compositions in terms of CO2 absorption and desorption, was assessed at different operational conditions. To ensure the suitability of these sorbents for carbon capture processes, the prepared DESs were extensively characterised to identify their nature. ChCl:LvAc DESs were described in terms of their physicochemical properties, including their density, viscosity, thermal stability, and chemical fingerprint (FTIR spectra). These properties have been compared to those of other DESs that have been described in literature. It was essential to identify the nature of ChCl:LvAc mixtures before jumping to the application domain. For the first time in the literature, the phase behaviour plot (solidliquid equilibrium) of binary mixtures of choline chloride and levulinic acid was developed and described. According to the phase behaviour plot, ChCl:LvAc mixtures can only be defined as DESs when the mole percentage of levulinic acid (HBD) is equal or higher than 66.7%. ChCl:LvAc DESs were found to be highly thermally stable at temperatures up to 196 ⁰C. The density and viscosity of the characterised DESs decrease with increasing temperature. These figures make ChCl:LvAc DESs suitable for many engineering applications including carbon capture processes. The corrosivity of the prepared ChCl:LvAc DESs was found to be lower by 92% as compared to the corrosivity of monoethanolamine under the same conditions. The corrosivity of ChCl:LvAc DESs increases with the concentration of levulinic acid, stirring speed, and CO2 concentration, simultaneously, and decreases with increasing the water content in the system. The CO2 absorption capacity of ChCl:LvAc DESs was measured at different conditions using a vapour–liquid equilibrium rig. The experimental results showed that the CO2 absorption capacity of the ChCl:LvAc DESs is strongly affected by the operating pressure and stirring speed, moderately affected by the temperature, and minimally affected by the Hydrogen bond donor (HBD): Hydrogen bond acceptor (HBD) molar ratio as well as water content. A maximum CO2 absorption capacity of 1.58 moles of CO2 per kg of DES (1.58 mol kg-1 ) was measured at 25 °C, 6 bar and stirring speed of 250 rpm for a DES with HBA:HBD molar ratio of 1:3 and a water/HBA molar ratio (water content) of 2.5. The regeneration of the DESs was performed at different temperatures, and an optimal regeneration temperature of 60 °C was obtained. All DESs exhibited good recyclability and moderate CO2/N2 selectivity, with a maximum selectivity value of 5.63 obtained for a mixture of gases containing 50% CO2 and 50% N2

Object Tracking Implementation on Embedded Computing Platform

Embedded platforms are vital in various applications mainly Robotics and Mobile platforms. Image processing is usually done with full PC setup, which is hard to implement on mobile platforms and in other applications. This project aims to implement an image processing application on an embedded platform using structured C++ coding and OpenCV library