The Novel Approach of Adaptive Twin Probability for Genetic Algorithm

The performance of GA is measured and analyzed in terms of its performance parameters against variations in its genetic operators and associated parameters. Since last four decades huge numbers of researchers have been working on the performance of GA and its enhancement. This earlier research work on analyzing the performance of GA enforces the need to further investigate the exploration and exploitation characteristics and observe its impact on the behavior and overall performance of GA. This paper introduces the novel approach of adaptive twin probability associated with the advanced twin operator that enhances the performance of GA. The design of the advanced twin operator is extrapolated from the twin offspring birth due to single ovulation in natural genetic systems as mentioned in the earlier works. The twin probability of this operator is adaptively varied based on the fitness of best individual thereby relieving the GA user from statically defining its value. This novel approach of adaptive twin probability is experimented and tested on the standard benchmark optimization test functions. The experimental results show the increased accuracy in terms of the best individual and reduced convergence time.Comment: 7 pages, International Journal of Advanced Studies in Computer Science and Engineering (IJASCSE), Volume 2, Special Issue 2, 201

Racial Differences in Social Support and the Quality of Life Among Individuals with Chronic Illnesses

Previous studies have indicated that the association between social support and quality of life (QOL) among individuals with chronic illnesses differs by race, yet the specifics of these association are uncertain. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine racial differences in associations between factors of social support (i.e. sources of informal social support and positive/negative social support) and four QOL domains (i.e., physical well-being, psychological well-being, social well-being, and spiritual well-being) among individuals previously diagnosed with a chronic illness. The study was guided by three aims: 1) to examine common intrapersonal-level (e.g., stress, coping, and self-esteem) and interpersonal-level constructs (e.g., major discrimination, everyday discrimination, frequency of contact, social network ties, and social network size) as mediators and moderators, 2) to examine associations between sources of informal social support and QOL domains among individuals with chronic illnesses, and 3) to examine associations between sources of positive and negative social support and QOL domains among individuals with chronic illnesses. It is hypothesized the pattern of the associations between factors of social support and the four QOL domains will differ between individuals of African descent (i.e., African Americans and Caribbean Blacks) and non-Hispanic whites. Secondary data analyses of the National Survey of American Life (NSAL) were conducted. The sample was comprised of 3,285 African Americans, Caribbean Blacks, and non-Hispanic whites. Moderation was evaluated through interaction terms. Mediation was assessed through bootstrapping procedures. Multiple imputation analyses primarily assessed the racial differences between factors of social support and QOL domains. Stress and social ties consistently moderated and mediated the relationship between factors of social support and QOL domains. A total of 10 of the 40 associations between factors of social support and QOL domains were moderated by race. In addition, the direction of 16 of the 40 associations between factors of social support and QOL domains indicated differences between individuals of African descent compared to non-Hispanic whites after stratifying the study sample by race. Future prospective longitudinal studies are needed to further assess the influence of social support and QOL domains among individuals of African descent and non-Hispanic whites with chronic illnesses

NATIONAL IDENTITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE, AND INTERNAL MINORITIES: A CRITIQUE OF DAVID MILLER’S LIBERAL NATIONALISM

In this thesis I argue that David Miller has not successfully generated an account of nationalism that is liberal. I first present Miller’s account the nation, national identity and national culture. I then draw out how the ability of internal minorities to contest repugnant elements of national identity or culture is deeply ties to the liberal character of nationalism. I then argue that the exclusion of particular identities that is required by Miller’s public sphere deprives internal minorities of the epistemic resources they need to challenge repugnant elements of national culture or identity. This puts the liberal character of Miller’s nationalism into question. After I provide a rebuttal on behalf of Miller that leads to a reinterpretation of his view. However, I argue the modified account is still unsatisfactory in providing a means for contestation. Consequently I conclude if Miller is to provide an account of nationalism that is truly liberal he needs to tell a different story about the role of particular identities in public sphere deliberation

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Dramaturgical Concerns): Re-Centering Dramaturgy and Comedy as Feminist Tools for Social Change

Titled as a play on Mindy Kaling’s 2011 book, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns), this thesis highlights the obstacles women, the genre of comedy, and dramaturgs face in order to be taken seriously in the arts. Using the work of Mindy Kaling, I explore how she uses comedy as a means of defying the expectations put upon her as an Indian American woman in order to provide context for the ways in which the marginal statuses of women of color and comedy overlap. In an effort to demonstrate the ways in which comedy can be utilized as a tool for social change and the ways in which the work of a dramaturg can support that, this thesis documents the planning and execution of three events that accompany this written document: a production of Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers’ 2002 play, Matt & Ben; a screening of the 1997 Oscar-winning film, Good Will Hunting; and a Q+A conversation with Broadway’s most-produced female playwright, Theresa Rebeck. My work is shaped by various theoretical frameworks, including intersectional feminism, symbolic annihilation, charged humor, and gender performance theories, seeking to establish that my dramaturgical, comedic, and feminist sensibilities are all driven by the same empathetic impulse that sits at the very core of my artistry and arguing that despite a vast history of marginality, dramaturgs, comics, and women can be powerful agents of change

Efficacy of Online Social Networks on Language Teaching: A Bangladeshi Perspective

It is now an established fact that the use of technology facilitates teaching and learning in language classrooms. With the advancement of technology, social networking websites have emerged too.Social networking sites have been quite popular among various age group users particularly the young users since their invention. Also, they are conceived to be able to motivate (Greenhow, Robelia, & Hughes, 2009) and expose learners to the authentic use of the target language (Baralt, 2011). However, very little research has been done, especially in Bangladesh, on how much these websites can contribute to language learning and teaching though they seem to offer ample opportunities. Therefore, this study aims at investigating the effect of using \u27The Facebook\u27, a social networking website, in language classrooms at tertiary level in Bangladesh. Participants of this study were first year first semester university students doing a foundation course in English focusing to improve their listening, speaking and writing skills. The participants were divided into two groups. Group 1 was the control group who was taught traditionally and non-digitally without using Facebook. Group 2, along with classroom teaching, received help from the instructor through Facebook and did tasks assigned on Facebook. At the end of the three months semester a test was taken and the result of both groups was compared. Thus, this study shall try to provide an answer regarding to what extent online social networks can facilitate second language acquisition

Language, Identity and Social Integration: Stories of Skilled Bangladeshi Immigrants in Canada

This emerging ethnographic study aims to explore the impact of English language and learning on the settlement and social integration of skilled Bangladeshi immigrants in Canada. Though language is a significant factor in immigrants’ settlement, few researchers have explored the relationship between language and immigrants’ social integration, and even fewer have researched the impact of language in skilled immigrants’ settlement (Han, 2007; Gimpapa & Canagarajah, 2017). Canada is a popular destination for Bangladeshi skilled immigrants; however, they have remained largely ignored in the academic research and in the ethno-social milieu of Canada. Therefore, this study aims to explore how Bangladeshi skilled immigrants learn the English language, how they socialize using the language and what struggles they face in learning the language. The conceptual framework of the research is drawn from a poststructural understanding of language (Bourdieu, 1977, 1986) and sociocultural theory of learning (Block, 2013; Lave & Wenger, 1991; Ochs, 1991), and the research methodology is informed by critical theory and critical ethnographic sociolinguistic research (Heller et al., 2017). The significance of this research lies in exploring the role of language, access and participation in the settlement of the underrepresented Bangladeshi skilled immigrants in Canada and in reconceptualizing migrants’ language learning needs and scopes