Philanthropy and Equity: The Case of India

This paper explores the potential role for philanthropy to promote greater equity in India. It also aims to stimulate further discussion and debate about how philanthropic resources can best contribute to a more just and equitable India, and encourage others engaged in philanthropy elsewhere in the world to reflect on India's experience

Shot noise and photon-induced correlations in 500 GHz SIS detectors

Photon-induced current correlations in SIS detectors can result in an output noise that is greater or less than shot noise. Evidence of these correlations had been observed for 100 GHz rf by accurate noise measurements as reported in our previous work. We now present a detailed analysis of these current correlations for frequencies between 100 and 500 GHz. We also report new measurements of photon-induced noise in a 490 GHz SIS mixer, and discuss the Gaussian beam techniques used to eliminate the thermal background radiation. For small 490 GHz rf power, the output noise is equal to shot noise. The results of the 100 and 490 GHz photon noise measurement are summarized in context to shot noise and the effect of the current correlations predicted by the theoretical model

Rebuilding life: A journey through the lives of women who have endured and been treated for obstetric fistula in Tanzania

Introduction Obstetric fistula is a birthing injury which leaves a woman leaking urine and/or faeces from her vagina. This occurs when there is prolonged obstructed labour, and emergency obstetric care is unavailable. It disproportionately affects poor, uneducated women from rural areas and makes them even more marginalized after they have suffered the injury. The constant smell from leaking subjects them to rejection from society, they are unable to work, and are ashamed of their condition. Obstetric fistula can be prevented by early intervention of obstetric care, and can be cured usually through surgery. Currently there is little or no follow-up of fistula patients after being treated, in Tanzania. Aim This study aims at exploring the experiences of fistula patients after repair in Tanzania. Methodology A qualitative approach was adopted in this study using in-depth interviews, a focus group discussion and observations. With local collaborators, this study was primarily conducted in four regions of Tanzania; Dodoma, Mbeya, Mwanza and Singida. Findings The women who had endured obstetric fistula and received treatment also faced some challenges after repair. Out of 30 women with whom we conducted in-depth interviews, 10 remained with some incontinence and the problems attached to leakage continued. How they experienced and coped with the challenges after repair was closely connected to their experiences before treatment. How the women made sense of fistula also influenced their perception and feelings about their situation and their future. Oftentimes, their experiences before treatment involved struggles with their personal identities as women, their roles as wives and their acceptance as daughters-in-law, which affected their experiences after repair. They commonly experienced loss of womanhood, sexuality, family life and self-esteem and many returned to financial debt and dependency on family or community members. The duration spent with fistula before repair and the success of repair greatly influenced their experiences after repair as well. Almost all who received treatment quickly and were completely dry regained their social lives, however most were financially strained. Discussion The discussion draws upon concepts in medical anthropology and existing research to make sense of the findings. Conclusion Obstetric fistula is an inequity issue and most of the challenges can be prevented with increased awareness, better referral between hospitals and quality care. Treatment of fistula must go beyond the closing of a physical hole, but address physical, psycho-social and economic challenges to completely rehabilitate the individual affected after repair.Master of philosophy in international healthMAMD-INTHINTH39

Simulation of periodic tank reactors

Normally it is assumed that the steady state mode of operation is most desirable for the design of the chemical reactor system. However it appears that this assumption may not be correct in many cases. In the present work disturbances of various types were externally created and forced on a system comprising an isothermal continuous stirred tank reactor. The effects of these purposefully created disturbances were investigated by mathematically modelling the system and simulating it on a digital computer. The change in reactor performance, as defined by the percentage change in the production rate from the steady state value, can be either an improvement or deterioration compared to the steady state operation depending on the parameters like inlet feed concentration, flow rate, combination of both, reactor temperature etc., on which the disturbance is forced. Of the various parameters considered, feed concentration disturbance resulted in the most improved performance. The change in reactor performance, as defined by the percentage change in the production rate from the steady state value, can be either an improvement or deterioration compared to the steady state operation depending on the parameters like inlet feed concentration, flow rate, combination of both, reactor temperature etc., on which the disturbance is forced. Of the various parameters considered, feed concentration disturbance resulted in the most improved performance. The study of the effect of the order of reaction showed that improving performance results for concentration disturbance with increasing order of reaction, due to the increasing non-linearity of the system

Uncovering Latent Archetypes from Digital Trace Sequences: An Analytical Method and Empirical Example

The widespread availability of digital trace data provides new opportunities for researchers to understand human behaviors at a large scale. Sequences of behavior, captured when individuals interface with an information system, can be analyzed to uncover behavioral trends and tendencies. Rather than assume homogeneity among actors, in this study we introduce a method for identifying subsets of the population which demonstrate similar behavioral trends. The objective of this analysis would be to identify a finite set of behavioral archetypes, which we define as distinct patterns of action displayed by unique subsets of a population. This study makes a contribution to the literature by introducing a novel methodology for analyzing sequences of digital traces. We apply our technique to data from a lab experiment featuring thirty twenty-person teams communicating over Skype

A Dynamic Sequence Model of Information Sharing Processes in Virtual Teams

Sharing information is a critical component of virtual team functioning. While prior research has identified the motivations for and the structure of information sharing, there has been little emphasis on the dynamic patterning of sharing behavior. In this study, we focus on the process of information sharing, namely the sequence and timing of individual decisions during a virtual team task. Further, we argue that sharing behaviors can be categorized into a finite number of approaches. We propose a temporal, event-based model to uncover the behavioral and cognitive factors that influence information sharing. With a sample of 600 participants organized into thirty ad hoc virtual teams, we demonstrate significant heterogeneity in sharing propensities. Our study makes two contributions to the extant literature. First, we extend theories regarding the motivation and structure of information sharing. Second, we make a broader methodological contribution with the application of a latent-class relational event model

Virtual Simulation for Multi-material LM Process

In an ONR funded MURI program, to improve quality of multi-material parts, we've been developing an advanced computer simulation for the multi-material layered manufacturing (LM) process. The CAD models and their .stLfiles are created using. the commercially available software such as I-DEAS and ProE. Using this information, one tool path file per material is generated. Our file preparation algorithm, systematically, layer by layer, integrates all tool path files into one multi-material tool path file. The results of the multi-material tool path are graphically visualized using the simulation algorithm (written in c++ & SGI OpenGL). From a virtual simulation, we can check the LM process, and make the best selection of tool path parameters afterwards. After several trials from design to simulation, if the simulation result is acceptable, the real manufacturing can be started. And the part's quality should be better than a part manufactured without running simulation in advance. This paper will represent .•. new studies on using real toadshapes to get more realistic simulation results. Many parts have been successfully simulated using our method.Mechanical Engineerin

A New Feature in an Extrusion Based LM Process – Adaptive Roadwidth 399

For extrusion based LM processes, a computational based adaptive roadwidth algorithm have been developed which further reduces (if not eliminate) all voids and defects. Toolpath equations are written in terms of roadwidth, vector path offset, subperimeter offset, and vector angles. The program computes all contours and vector paths to fill a layer, the location and size of all voids/defects, and makes comparison with the acceptable void limits. Based on this information, the adaptive roadwidth for the vector paths are then created to minimize the voids and defects. This new feature is added to the existing in-house multi-material LM CAD software.Mechanical Engineerin

The Web Science Observatory

To understand and enable the evolution of the Web and to help address grand societal challenges, the Web must be observable at scale across space and time. That requires a globally distributed and collaborative Web Observatory

User Generated Multi-Dimensional Classification in an Adaptive Network Library Interface

Classification can be thought of as defining subject matter classes, and assigning information bearing items (IBEs) to those classes as a way to support organization and retrieval of those IBEs. This corresponds to a Platonic view in which subjects reside in a world of abstractions, and real world IBEs are mapped to them (many-te-many) as accurately as possible