The Merida Initiative: An Effective Way of Reducing Violence in Mexico?

In October 2007, the United States and Mexico announced the Merida Initiative, a $1.4 billion proposal for US assistance in Mexico and Central America’s drug war for FY 2008-FY 2010.8 For the 2008 fiscal year, Congress allocated$400 million for Mexico and $65 million for Central America. This marked a shift in US foreign drug policy, as until this time Colombia had been the main recipient of US aid, not Mexico. According to the US Department of State, Colombia received$600 million for FY 2006, while Mexico received approximately $40 million.9 As the US enters its fourth year of Merida Initiative implementation, it is important to assess whether or not it has been a successful policy. The intention of the United States and Mexico was to reduce the drug trafficking problem, cartel influence, and associated violence and corruption, while restoring order to much of Mexico through implementation of the initiative. This paper will address the viability of the Merida Initiative as an effective policy for reducing continued drug-related violence and homicide in Mexico

Muslimische Jugendliche in Österreich

Die Forschungsarbeit befasst sich mit der besonderen Bedeutung der Religion im alltäglichen Leben junger Muslime in Österreich. Die Analyse bezieht sich dabei auf jene muslimischen Jugendlichen, die im frühen Kindesalter nach Österreich kamen oder schon hier geboren wurden und soll in erster Linie das Aufwachsen zwischen zwei Kulturen und Religionen beschreiben. Um einen Einblick in die Erfahrungen der Jugendlichen zu gewinnen, wurden zwölf Interviews mit Muslimen im Alter von 20 bis 26 Jahren geführt. Aus verschiedenen Blickwinkeln wird der Grad der Religiosität sowie die Auslebung religiöser Praktiken untersucht. Dabei werden verschiedene Faktoren erkannt, die großen Einfluss auf die Religiosität der Jugendlichen haben. Neben der Mitgliedschaft in religiösen Vereinen und den Erfahrungen, die im islamischen Religionsunterricht gemacht wurden, wird vor allem auf das Familienleben eingegangen, das für viele der Jugendlichen die größte Rolle in der Bildung der Religiosität spielt. Auf der anderen Seite wird das gesellschaftliche Leben der Jugendlichen, im Speziellen die inner- und interreligiöse Kontaktaufnahme, betrachtet. Hierbei wird vor allem der Frage nachgegangen, ob die Jugendlichen Präferenzen hinsichtlich der Freundschaftswahl haben und ob diese Wahl mit dem Grad ihrer Religiosität begründet werden kann. Ein weiterer Themenschwerpunkt befasst sich mit dem Konflikt der Vereinbarkeit zweier Gesellschaftsformen, die durch verschiedene Religionen geprägt werden. Das Zusammenspiel beider Kulturkreise stellt für viele Jugendliche eine Herausforderung dar und geht mit einer Empfindung einher, die häufig als „Zwei-Welten-Gefühl“ beschrieben wird. Nicht selten begeben sich diese Jugendlichen auf eine Identitätssuche, die oft mit dem Bedürfnis nach Zugehörigkeit verbunden ist. Durch ständige Selbstreflexion kreieren die Jugendlichen aus beiden Religionen und Kulturen ihre eigene Identität. Im Vordergrund steht hierbei vor allem die Konzentration auf die Gemeinsamkeiten der Religionen und Kulturen und nicht auf die Unterschiede. Nur auf diese Weise können sie Vorurteile beider Seiten bewältigen, zwischen den Gesellschaftsformen vermitteln, und das „Zwei-Welten Gefühl“ überwinden

Performing regression-based methods on viscosity of nano-enhanced PCM - Using ANN and RSM

Abstract Evaluation of the use of linear and nonlinear regression-based methods in estimating the viscosity of MWCNT/liquid paraffin nanofluid was investigated in this study. At temperature range of 5–65 °C, the viscosity of samples containing MWCNT nanoparticles at 0.005–5 wt.% which is measured by a Brookfield apparatus, was first evaluated to determine the response to the shear rate. The decrease in viscosity due to the increase in shear rate indicated that the rheological behavior of the nanofluid was non-Newtonian and therefore, in addition to temperature and mass fraction, the shear rate should be considered as an effective input parameter. Linear regression was performed by response surface methodology (RSM) and it was observed that the R-square for the best polynomial was 0.988. The results of nonlinear regression also showed that the neural network consisting of 3 and 13 neurons in the input and hidden layers was able to estimate the viscosity of the nanofluid more accurately so that the R-square value was calculated to be 0.998

Navigating viscosity of ferrofluid using response surface methodology and artificial neural network

Abstract The main purpose of this study is to investigate the capabilities of artificial neural network (ANN) and response surface methodology (RSM) in estimating the viscosity of Fe3O4 nanofluid. Nanoparticles increase the resistance to motion and thus boost the viscosity. Initially, the rheological behavior of the base fluid and nanofluid was investigated and it was found that both fluids are not particularly sensitive to the shear rate, which indicates the Newtonian behavior. Input parameters of temperature and volume fraction and output parameter, nanofluid viscosity were introduced to both techniques to find the best correlation in which the viscosity can be predictable. Comparison of R-square in ANN (0.999) and RSM (0.996) techniques showed that both techniques can navigate the viscosity well. Also the margin of deviation (MOD) and mean square error (MSE) for ANN were 4.22% and 0.0000741 which were lower than the corresponding values in RSM one (MOD = 5.52%, MSE = 0.00027)

Mixed convection–radiation in lid‑driven cavities with nanofluids and time‑dependent heat‑generating body

The cooling process of electronic devices having heat-generating elements is a major challenge allowing to develop electronics industry. Therefore, a creation of novel cooling techniques is an important task that can be solved numerically taking into account the multiparametric character of this problem. The mixed convection heat transfer combined with thermal radiation in a lid-driven cavity filled with an alumina–water nanofluid under the effect of sinusoidal time-dependent heat-generating solid element is studied numerically. The partial differential equations formulated in stream function–vorticity variables are solved by the finite difference method. Effects of the Rayleigh number, Reynolds number, thermal radiation parameter, heater location, volumetric heat flux oscillation frequency and nanoparticles volume fraction on liquid flow and heat transfer are analyzed. It has been found that an addition of nanoparticles leads to reduction of the heater temperature, while convective flow rate decreases also

Analysis of entropy generation in natural convection of nanofluid inside a square cavity having hot solid block: Tiwari and Das' model

A computational work has been performed in this study to investigate the effects of solid isothermal partition insertion in a nanofluid filled cavity that is cooled via corner isothermal cooler. Mathematical model formulated in dimensionless primitive variables has been solved by finite volume method. The study is performed for different geometrical ratio of solid inserted block and corner isothermal cooler, Rayleigh number and solid volume fraction parameter of nanoparticles. It is observed that an insertion of nanoparticles leads to enhancement of heat transfer and attenuation of convective flow inside the cavity

"Omics" in traumatic brain injury: novel approaches to a complex disease

Background To date, there is neither any pharmacological treatment with efficacy in traumatic brain injury (TBI) nor any method to halt the disease progress. This is due to an incomplete understanding of the vast complexity of the biological cascades and failure to appreciate the diversity of secondary injury mechanisms in TBI. In recent years, techniques for high-throughput characterization and quantification of biological molecules that include genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics have evolved and referred to as omics. Methods In this narrative review, we highlight how omics technology can be applied to potentiate diagnostics and prognostication as well as to advance our understanding of injury mechanisms in TBI. Results The omics platforms provide possibilities to study function, dynamics, and alterations of molecular pathways of normal and TBI disease states. Through advanced bioinformatics, large datasets of molecular information from small biological samples can be analyzed in detail and provide valuable knowledge of pathophysiological mechanisms, to include in prognostic modeling when connected to clinically relevant data. In such a complex disease as TBI, omics enables broad categories of studies from gene compositions associated with susceptibility to secondary injury or poor outcome, to potential alterations in metabolites following TBI. Conclusion The field of omics in TBI research is rapidly evolving. The recent data and novel methods reviewed herein may form the basis for improved precision medicine approaches, development of pharmacological approaches, and individualization of therapeutic efforts by implementing mathematical "big data" predictive modeling in the near future.Scientific Assessment and Innovation in Neurosurgical Treatment Strategie

"Omics" in traumatic brain injury: novel approaches to a complex disease

Background: To date, there is neither any pharmacological treatment with efficacy in traumatic brain injury (TBI) nor any method to halt the disease progress. This is due to an incomplete understanding of the vast complexity of the biological cascades and failure to appreciate the diversity of secondary injury mechanisms in TBI. In recent years, techniques for high-throughput characterization and quantification of biological molecules that include genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics have evolved and referred to as omics.Methods: In this narrative review, we highlight how omics technology can be applied to potentiate diagnostics and prognostication as well as to advance our understanding of injury mechanisms in TBI.Results: The omics platforms provide possibilities to study function, dynamics, and alterations of molecular pathways of normal and TBI disease states. Through advanced bioinformatics, large datasets of molecular information from small biological samples can be analyzed in detail and provide valuable knowledge of pathophysiological mechanisms, to include in prognostic modeling when connected to clinically relevant data. In such a complex disease as TBI, omics enables broad categories of studies from gene compositions associated with susceptibility to secondary injury or poor outcome, to potential alterations in metabolites following TBI.Conclusion: The field of omics in TBI research is rapidly evolving. The recent data and novel methods reviewed herein may form the basis for improved precision medicine approaches, development of pharmacological approaches, and individualization of therapeutic efforts by implementing mathematical "big data" predictive modeling in the near future.</p

A state-of-the-art review of energy-efficient and renewable energy systems in higher education facilities

Amid escalating energy demands and growing environmental concerns, educational institutions are transforming into crucibles for enduring innovation. This comprehensive review summarizes the complex relationship between Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Systems (EERES) within the sphere of educational institutions. By instituting Energy Efficiency initiatives, organizations can curtail energy consumption, resulting in substantial cost savings and a diminished carbon footprint. Moreover, the integration of renewable energy technologies empowers the localized generation of electricity, ensuring a reliable and sustainable energy source. Noteworthy in this study is the novel linkage of energy usage indicators to the comfort levels experienced in university settings during both summer and winter. An exhaustive examination of consumption indicators, rooted in the diverse activities on college campuses, further enriches the investigation. Beyond technical intricacies, this study scrutinizes the economic viability, environmental advantages, and educational significance of these integrated systems. Embracing EERES not only aligns with the commitment of educational institutions to environmental stewardship but also establishes a paradigm for broader communities. These institutions aspire to exemplify sustainable practices, influencing larger societal behavior positively. Various factors, including the institution’s type, energy source, facility nature, building construction, internal activities, weather conditions, and user behavior, wield substantial influence over energy utilization. This study offers a nuanced exploration, shedding light not only on the technical dimensions but also on the broader economic, environmental, and educational implications of adopting EERES