Aggression in cyberspace and self-defence

Cyber attack is a new phenomenon that can change the classical warfare techniques carried out by state and non-state actors. The unique nature of this extremely destructive threat and attacks through cyberspace have the power to damage, kill and physically destroy. Traditional definitions of the use of force have therefore changed. The real question is whether a cyber attack is the use of force equal to an armed attack in terms of international law, or is it basically a prohibition of interference in the internal affairs of countries. In other words, based on Article 2(4) of the United Nations Convention, an answer is sought to the question of whether cyber attack can be considered as the use of armed force. On the other hand, in the case of a large-scale cyber-attack that causes human casualties or property damage or to basic infrastructure comparable to an armed attack with only conventional weapons, does the victim state have the right to defend itself against the cyber-attack? It also gives the armed forces the right to respond with conventional weapons. This study details the question of when a cyberattack constitutes an armed attack according to Article 51 of the UN Charter and allows a state to take kinetic measures alongside active cyber defense measures. Then, the rules prohibiting the use of force in international law will be discussed and whether there is a right of self-defense against cyber attacks will be examined within the framework of current international law, and suggestions will be made regarding cyber attack and kinetic defense policy options for states

Client loyalty in the long term insurance industry.

Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.Background In recent times the insurance industry has seen rapid migration of clients among the different companies in search of better rates from the latest intermediary. Cancellation and surrenders of policies have marked this migration of clients. Clients are dependent on brokers for advice, thus making client loyalty dependent on the relationship between the intermediary and the client. In this model there is a gap in the relationship between client and company. Objectives The primary objective of this study is to elucidate the preconception that client loyalty is dependent on the relationship that an intermediary has with a client. The secondary objective of this study is to determine how clients' perceptions and attitudes lends itself to either clients remaining with, or leaving a particular insurer in favour of another. Methods Data was collected by means of a research questionnaire received from 50 respondents, made of clients from the Sanlam Broker Services database. Open ended questions and disconfirmation scales were used. One sample chi-square was used to test the hypotheses. Results Despite clients having received expected levels and better than expected levels of service from a company, clients still prefer to deal with an advisor. The factors that affect clients' decision to remain or migrate to another company are service, reputation, performance and rates. The most common factors for discontentment are poor service, misrepresentation, lack of confidentiality, and poor performance. It was also found that that there is a higher degree of awareness and membership among higher income earners than lower income earners. Conclusion It is recommended that more than demographic knowledge be accessed to keep clients loyal. Lifestyle studies need to be conducted and perhaps this information used to develop innovative marketing strategies. Partnerships with successful existing loyalty programmes also need to be explored as a client retention mechanism. Client loyalty cannot be explored in isolation. It must encompass the entire organization. There is ample evidence in the literature review to support this view

The Impact of Green Manufacturing Strategies on Organization Competitive Performance: a Comparative Study of Opinions of A Sample of Departments Operating in (Northern Cement Associate) and (Southern Cement State

Purpose: The research aims to determine the extent to which green manufacturing strategies are applied in two Iraqi companies belonging to the public sector, as well as diagnosing the level of competitive performance in the two companies under study, in addition to shedding light on the impact of applying these strategies in reducing the costs of products and their role in providing a large financial return for the company and in a way that contributes to enhancing its competitive performance and increasing its productivity.   Theoretical Framework: Green manufacturing is a comprehensive system for all production stages embodied in the form of a sustainable approach to the design activities involved in the process of producing or developing products or operating the system in order to reduce environmental impact, reduce the depletion of natural resources, rationalize the use of raw materials and recycle them to make those products more efficient.   Design/Methodology/Approach: The study sample was represented in (190) views in the two companies (Northern Cement Associate and Southern Cement State Company), as the answers obtained from the aforementioned sample were analyzed through the statistical analysis package (SPSS).   Findings: One of the most prominent results of the research is the presence of a state of convergence between the two companies regarding the variables in general, which is due to a basic element that the two companies follow the same reference represented by the Iraqi Ministry of Industry and therefore the performance adoptions in its general framework are almost similar, including instructions, general directions and strategies that are adopted by the supervisory institution It is the responsibility of the operating departments to adopt them and work under the general policies of the ministry.   Research, Practical & Social Implications: One of the most important recommendations of the research is that the Ministry of Industry and Minerals adopts a policy that obliges its affiliated companies to provide clean products that contribute to reducing environmental pollution and enhance their competitive performance, as well as adopting control systems that follow the process of applying green manufacturing strategies from before these companies.   Implication/ Originality/Value: The Originality of this research is examines impact of applying green manufacturing strategies in reducing the costs of products in the two companies under study, and the role that these green manufacturing strategies in providing a large financial return for the company and enhancing its competitive performance and increasing its productivity

Evaluation of Flashover Voltage on Hydrophobic Polymer Insulators with Artificial Neural Network

This paper presents an experimental measurement of ac 50 Hz flashover voltage (kV) of hydrophobic polymer insulators. Hundred thirty five different testing conditions were used to evaluate the electrical performance of hydrophobic surfaces of composite polymer insulators. The study of flashover voltages depend on the silicone rubber (SiR) content (%) in Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, water conductivity (µS/cm), volume of water droplet (ml) and number of water droplets on the surface of polymer insulators. Artificial neural network (ANN) is used successfully to model nonlinear functions which are difficult to model using classical methods. ANN can estimate the values of flashover voltage (kV) for different polymer insulators. The proposed network is trained using different environmental wet condition such as; water conductivity, volume of water droplet and number of water droplets on the surfaces of composite different polymer. After training, the network can estimate the flashover voltage for different inputs. A comparison between the laboratory measurements of flashover voltages and computational results of ANN were convergent. The results obtained from applying ANN show that it can be used to model the data with accuracy of 96%. These results prove that ANN can be considered a successful model to evaluate the electrical performance of hydrophobic polymer insulators and predicts the best hydrophobic composite surface that withstands higher flashover voltage under wet contaminated weather condition.DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijece.v2i4.58

Will WTO membership boost trade and investment in land-locked Afghanistan?

Does Pakistan’s newfound indWTO, established in 1995, works to provide a framework for trade policies to ensure freer, easier, and more predictable trade flows. They also provide technical assistance to low-income, developing and least-developed countries in transition to adjust WTO rules. In December 2015, the number of WTO member countries increased to 164th. Afghanistan became the 36th least-developed country (LDC) to join the global trade body.ependence signal a shift in foreign policy allegiances

Effect of Tryptophan and Glutamic Acid on Morphological Traits of Iranian and Afghan Saffron

In order to investigate the effect of amino acids tryptophan and glutamic acid on the morphological traits of saffron medicinal plant, a factorial experiment was conducted in the form of a randomized complete block design in three replications in 2018 in the research farm of Zanjan University. Experimental treatments include three genotypes (Iranian, Afghani 1 and Afghani 2) as the main treatment and amino acid tryptophan at two levels (1 and 2 mM) and glutamic acid at two levels (1 and 2 mM) as secondary treatments. They were considered as witnesses. The results showed that tryptophan and glutamic acid treatments had a significant effect (P ≤ 0.01) on most of the investigated traits including number of flowers, dry weight of flowers, vegetative body. The highest content of number of flowers and dry weight of flowers were observed, respectively, 34.6 and 37.36 mg of dry weight. Also, the performance traits of flower fresh weight, stigma dry weight, showed significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) under the treatment of two amino acids. The maximum yield of phenol and flavonoid in 2 mM tryptophan concentration was 0.35 and 0.026 mg/g/ha, respectively, and the lowest yield in 1 mM glutamic treatment was 0.34 and 0.02 mg/g/ha, respectively. In total, different levels of tryptophan and glutamic acid can have an effective role in improving the morphological traits and production of this product. The use of 1 mM glutamic acid to produce the maximum vegetative body of the plant, the treatment of 1 and 2 mM of both amino acids to improve physiological indicators and 1 mM of glutamic acid for the performance of secondary metabolites is desirable and recommended for the purpose

Book Review: Development Without Aid The Decline of Development Aid and the Rise of the Diaspora

The main objective of this book is to investigate that how far the people of aid dependent countries can become self reliant and take up again autonomy over their development process