Dissent And Games In Decision Making: Case Of Solar Technologies

Faculty Research Day 2018: Faculty Competitive Poster WinnerResearch in decision modeling has mainly focused on the ranking of alternative choices based on a consensus of experts and decision makers. However, a decision model can also be used represent rational conflict and dissent. This is illustrated by the example of a hierarchical decision model (HDM) to assess alternative solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies. Multiple perspectives are considered for consensus and conflict. The perspectives include: social, technical, economic, environmental, and political (STEEP). HDM is an appropriate method for determining the outcome for scenarios that consider one dominant perspective as well as the case where all the perspectives are relatively important. Prior research in this area involved the assessment of PV technologies based on the cooperation or consensus of experts. This study focuses on dissent that may lead to conflict. Dissent is evident if only one dominant perspective is considered to evaluate the alternate PV technologies. One dominant perspective implies conflict by the proponents of the other perspectives deemed “unimportant”. By using such a decision modeling approach, outcomes for both consensus and dissent scenarios are observable and comparable. Research is planned to develop this decision modeling approach to form a branch of game theory with a large number of players and decision elements

Sub-micron technology development and system-on-chip (Soc) design - data compression core

Data compression removes redundancy from the source data and thereby increases storage capacity of a storage medium or efficiency of data transmission in a communication link. Although several data compression techniques have been implemented in hardware, they are not flexible enough to be embedded in more complex applications. Data compression software meanwhile cannot support the demand of high-speed computing applications. Due to these deficiencies, in this project we develop a parameterized lossless universal data compression IP core for high-speed applications. The design of the core is based on the combination of Lempel-Ziv-Storer-Szymanski (LZSS) compression algorithm and Huffman coding. The resulting IP core offers a data-independent throughput that can process a symbol in every clock cycle. The design is described in parameterized VHDL code to enable a user to make a suitable compromise between resource constraints, operation speed and compression saving, so that it can be adapted for any target application. In implementation on Altera FLEX10KE FPGA device, the design offers a performance of 800 Mbps with an operating frequency of 50 MHz. This IP core is suitable for high-speed computing applications or for storage systems

A prospective study of various services utilization under the WADI project of NABARD by Tribal Women of Goalpara District

Purpose: The purpose of the Study is to evaluate challenges and opportunities of various services utilization under the WADI project of NABARD by Tribal Women of Goalpara in the prospective of study design. Theoretical Framework: There is a significant role of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in the socio-economic development of India in the perspective of the development of a sustainable development approach of livelihood for underprivileged people in the backward regions of India. In these consequences, a project of Wasteland Development in India (WADI) is a master plan NABARD for socio-economic development in the backward region of India, especially for promoting a sustainable development approach for scheduled tribes of India. Approach: The study is based on the review of related literature to study the various service utilisations under the WADI projects in the Goalpara district of Assam. For the purpose of the study various literatures, books, magazines, papers, newspapers and articles have been reviewed. Literature search revealed 121 articles or 99 abstracts, and citations showed 22 investigations. 39 publications did not meet the study's inclusion requirements, and 32 abstracts were rejected, 23 from non-English sources. 27  relevant peer-reviewed publications were chosen based on the inclusion criteria. Finding and social Implications: The findings of the study show that the implementation of master projects of NABARD is based according to the socio-economic and cultural practices of tribal communities in the Goalpara district of Assam because these tribes are inherited in their cultural landscape, and this cultural landscape represents their association with agroforestry. From these perspectives, it is found that the Goalpara district is the most backward region of Assam, where scheduled tribes account for the major proportion of the population of the district. Additionally, the role of NABARD is to promote and lead the mechanism of women empowerment through projects of WADI in the Goalpara district. However, it is also found that many challenges and problems emerged in the implementation of WADI projects due to the lack of transport and communication facilities in the Goalpara district of Assam. Originality/Value: In these consequences, it can be valued that NABARD is providing a sustainable approach to socio-economic development for scheduled tribes through the help of NGOs and organizations of the central government and state government of Assam. A depth analysis was conducted to understand the mechanism of role of the tribal community in the context of WADI projects of NABARD in the perspective of tribal abundant zone of Assam in India

SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OCCURRED AMONG THE TRIBAL BENEFICIARIES AS A RESULT OF THE WADI PROJECT IN THE GOALPARA DISTRICT SPECIAL REFERENCE TO LAKHIPUR BLOCK ASSAM

Abstract The Wadi project focuses on the development of orchards (recognized locally as Wadi), particularly on degraded lands. Through this program, tribal people cultivate mangoes, cashews, guavas, custard apples, alas, lemons, sapota, and drumsticks. The scope of the present study was to explore the socio-economic implications of such a project for its beneficiaries as a result of the WADI. The study was conducted in Lakhipur block in the Goalpara district. The list of all WADI tribal beneficiaries was collected from the Lakhipur block office, Po-Lakhipur, District-Goalpara, Assam. For this investigation, a proportionate random sampling method was employed to select 110 tribal beneficiaries from the 14 villages spread across four talukas in the Lakhipur block of Goalpara district. The structured schedule was developed to measure the socioeconomic consequences of the Wadi project on tribal beneficiaries. Analyses found that these had medium to high significance, with variables such as education, land holding, occupation, income, source of information, social participation and risk orientation among those observed to have an effect. It was also found that economic motivation, scientific orientation, extension contact, and aspirations had significantly affected outcomes. Moreover, socio-economic consequences were associated with cohesiveness, management orientation, communication skills, and proximity to the market. Finally farming experience, innovativeness, and training acquired were significant factors in determining outcomes

Determining Success For African-American Technology Ventures With Agent-Based Modeling

This novel research provides an artificial intelligence based computational modeling and simulation approach to determine causal relations leading to success for African-American technology ventures and entrepreneurship in a social-technical-economic-political (STEP) complex dynamic ecosystem. This methodology is called agent-based modeling (ABM) and simulates the organizational behavior of an African-American owned enterprise (AAE) as it interacts with other autonomous decision-making participants or agents: government R&D (G), research universities(R), funding institutes (F),and non-AAEs (N) (AGRFN-ABM). Findings based on emergence of aggregate behavior for AAE include government set-aside contracts are significant for success; funding can be off set by high socio-economic status; collaborations can increase funding and competencies but is only short-term for universities; and debtor equity funding create only short-term opportunities

Evolutionary Phases of Money in Various Civilizations

Objective: The aim of this study is to conduct a thorough examination and comparison of the evolutionary stages of currency in diverse civilizations. Employing an interdisciplinary approach, the research seeks to elucidate the developmental pathways, intercultural dynamics, and fundamental socio-economic determinants that have contributed to the evolution of monetary systems over the course of history. Research Gap: Extant scholarly investigations have delved into the progression and metamorphosis of currency within distinct historical frameworks or geographic areas, a conspicuous deficiency persists in the realm of exhaustive comparative analyses that methodically delineate the evolution of currency across a spectrum of civilizations. The prevailing body of literature often concentrates on isolated case studies or particular epochs, constraining our comprehension of the overarching trends and intercultural impacts influencing the trajectory of monetary evolution. Design/Methodology/Approach: This study adopts a theoretical methodology to explore the evolutionary phases of money across diverse civilizations. It involves synthesizing pertinent literature and theoretical frameworks from disciplines such as the history of money, economic anthropology, archaeology, and socio-economic theory. The Main Findings: The findings of the study reveal a dynamic trajectory in the evolution of money across civilizations. The transition from the gold standard to fiat currency heralded the dominance of paper money globally. In recent times, the advent of electronic money, facilitated by the internet, has reshaped the landscape of monetary transactions. The rise of cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, presents a potential paradigm shift in the future of money. Theoretical/Practical Implications of the Findings: Understanding the historical evolution of money can guide the formulation of effective monetary policies that account for cultural, social, and economic contexts. Insights into diverse forms of money can inspire innovative currency designs that enhance durability, divisibility, and portability

Decision Making of Buy or Rent A House

Need for shelter is a highest priority for any human in the world, from multi-billionaires to poverty-stricken people of the world. There are various options to get a shelter in this modern era. The focus of the current study is chosen whether to lease a house or own a house with specific benefits and disadvantages of each options and make a wise decision. The current research paper investigates various considerations and alternatives to make a possible decision between buy or rent a house. Throughout this research paper, I will use the  gathered information and crucial data inputs from different people and sectors, popular interviews that influence our decisions  such as real estate agencies, financial institutions, and popular builders with regards to the current market statistics

Teacher's Beliefs, Values and Teaching Practices and Culture of Inclusion in Classrooms: a Hermeneutic Pehonomenological Study

Implementation of inclusive education involves changes in educational policy and practice through the incorporation of inclusive values in the belief systems of the major partners and leaders in the school settings. A review of the literature indicates that sustainable change and development is more likely when the stakeholders hold such values and incorporate them in their practices to create a culture of inclusion. Inclusive cultures have relevance for everyone in the school and cannot be limited to a specific group of students creating yet another ghetto within the mainstream school and leading to exclusion in the name of inclusion. Despite the importance of the beliefs, values and practices of the teachers in relation to the culture of inclusion, the relation of beliefs to inclusive cultures had not been studied in the Czech Republic. Some studies did investigate teachers' attitudes towards inclusion of children with disabilities in the mainstream schools but none of the studies investigated the beliefs, values and practices in relation to the culture of inclusion. This study was designed to investigate the views of teachers practicing inclusion. The teachers were asked to reflect and describe their beliefs, values and teaching practices that contributed to creating cultures of inclusion in their...Implementation of inclusive education involves changes in educational policy and practice through the incorporation of inclusive values in the belief systems of the major partners and leaders in the school settings. A review of the literature indicates that sustainable change and development is more likely when the stakeholders hold such values and incorporate them in their practices to create a culture of inclusion. Inclusive cultures have relevance for everyone in the school and cannot be limited to a specific group of students creating yet another ghetto within the mainstream school and leading to exclusion in the name of inclusion. Despite the importance of the beliefs, values and practices of the teachers in relation to the culture of inclusion, the relation of beliefs to inclusive cultures had not been studied in the Czech Republic. Some studies did investigate teachers' attitudes towards inclusion of children with disabilities in the mainstream schools but none of the studies investigated the beliefs, values and practices in relation to the culture of inclusion. This study was designed to investigate the views of teachers practicing inclusion. The teachers were asked to reflect and describe their beliefs, values and teaching practices that contributed to creating cultures of inclusion in their...Katedra speciální pedagogikyFaculty of EducationPedagogická fakult

Management of Post Traumatic Epilepsy in Pediatric Population in Pakistan

Objective:  To investigate the efficacy of seizure prophylaxis in the prevention of early and late-onset seizures after the traumatic brain injury known as post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). Material and Methods:  A retrospective study was performed on children aged 0 to < 12 years who were presented to a level 1 trauma center during the six months with the diagnosis of mild to severe TBI. Data included is of 66 patients from Children’s Hospital, Lahore. It was analyzed according to a patient’s demographic data, mechanism of injury, clinical and radiological presentation, management, and follow-up. History of seizures was tracked through guardian referral or staff witnesses. Results:  Among 66 pediatric cases of acute brain injury from June 2019 to December 2019, 45 were males (68%) and 21 were females (32%) with a male to female ratio of 2:1. The mean age in our study was 3.8 years. 60% of children were managed under observation, 30% of children required medical pharmacological treatment, 9% of children needed surgical intervention, and 13% of children required artificial ventilation. Overall mortality is 4.5%. In our study, we found a considerable relationship between residual neurological deficits and severity of injury (p = 0.3), there is no noteworthy relationship between mechanism of injury and outcome (p = 0.5). The mean length of stay was 3.9 days but 60% of patients had stayed less than 3 days. Conclusion:  Analyzing the underlying mechanisms of post-traumatic epilepsy can lead us to propose effective treatments to prevent seizures following traumatic brain injury

Integrated Vehicle Accident Detection and Location System

Many accident victim lives could have been saved if vehicle accident information could be intimated to an evergencey rescue center automatically. This paper proposes an accident detection and location system by determining the deceleration and data fusion from accelerometers and GPS. The bias, drift and noise errors of accelerometers and GPS outage limitation are overcome by integrating with Kalman filter. The test result shows the correct deceleration for accident detection and location. The proposed system will be able to overcome the limitations of GPS/IMU and save valuable human lives