Proposed Changed to WTO Special and Differential Treatment Provisions: An Analysis from the Perspective of Asian LDCs

Special and differential treatment (S&D) provisions introduced in the GATT and the WTO in support of strengthened global integration of the developing country (DC) and least developed country (LDC) members have come under increasing scrutiny and criticism in recent years. One criticism has been that most of the S&D provisions are weak in their formulations, i.e., are expressed in the form of best endeavour clauses and hence are non-enforceable. The other strand of argument is that that in order for the S&D provisions to be effective and enforceable they ought to be targeted to countries that are in need of them most and be applied not in general, but with discretion, by identifying and targeting select group of developing countries that require a particular type of support most.Special and differential treatment, GATT

Driver Acceptance of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and Semi-Autonomous Driving Systems

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and semi-autonomous driving systems are intended to enhance driver performance and improve transportation safety. The potential benefits of these technologies, such as reduction in number of crashes, enhancing driver comfort or convenience, decreasing environmental impact, etc., are well accepted and endorsed by transportation safety researchers and federal transportation agencies. Even though these systems afford safety advantages, they challenge the traditional role of drivers in operating vehicles. Driver acceptance, therefore, is essential for the implementation of ADAS and semi-autonomous driving systems into the transportation system. These technologies will not achieve their potential if drivers do not accept them and use them in a sustainable and appropriate manner. The potential benefits of these in-vehicle assistive systems presents a strong need for research. A comprehensive review of current literature on the definitions of acceptance, acceptance modelling approaches, and assessment techniques was carried out to explore and summarize the different approaches adopted by previous researchers. The review identified three major research needs: a comprehensive evaluation of general technology acceptance models in the context of ADAS, development of an acceptance model specifically for ADAS and similar technologies, and development of an acceptance assessment questionnaire. Two studies were conducted to address these needs. In the first study, data collection was done using two approaches: a driving simulator approach and an online survey approach. In both approaches, participants were exposed to an ADAS and, based on their experience, responded to several survey questions to indicate their attitude toward using the ADAS and their perception of its usefulness, usability, reliability, etc. The results of the first study showed the utility of the general technology acceptance theories to model driver acceptance. A Unified Model of Driver Acceptance (UMDA) and two versions (a long version with 21 items and a short version with 13 items) of an acceptance assessment questionnaire were also developed, based on the results of the first study. The second was conducted to validate the findings of first study. The results of the second study found statistical evidence validating UMDA and the two versions of the acceptance assessment questionnaire

Understanding Development from the Perspective of University Students in Bangladesh

The meaning of the term "development" is common parlance. Although its limited meaning is one of improvement, its broader significance is far-reaching. But the exact significance might be different for each individual. Some people may anticipate a certain breakthrough while others may not. College kids have a huge impact on society. And the ideas they have deserve recognition. College students in Bangladesh have divergent views on what constitutes progress in the country. While many students believed that progress could be ensured only through personal growth, others held that development required changes to their physical environment. Many people believe they are living a fully developed life, but in reality, they are not. Alternatively, dimensions may have a range of connotations. The question is whether these factors are seen as crucial by the graduates. How well-versed they are in the concept of growth. There are also developmental roadblocks to consider. The main goal of this research is to find out the thoughts of university students of Bangladesh and get to know what is the meaning if development to them. For more in-depth analysis there are some objectives to get information about development and to get the opinions and analyze them

Graphlet based network analysis

The majority of the existing works on network analysis, study properties that are related to the global topology of a network. Examples of such properties include diameter, power-law exponent, and spectra of graph Laplacians. Such works enhance our understanding of real-life networks, or enable us to generate synthetic graphs with real-life graph properties. However, many of the existing problems on networks require the study of local topological structures of a network. Graphlets which are induced small subgraphs capture the local topological structure of a network effectively. They are becoming increasingly popular for characterizing large networks in recent years. Graphlet based network analysis can vary based on the types of topological structures considered and the kinds of analysis tasks. For example, one of the most popular and early graphlet analyses is based on triples (triangles or paths of length two). Graphlet analysis based on cycles and cliques are also explored in several recent works. Another more comprehensive class of graphlet analysis methods works with graphlets of specific sizes—graphlets with three, four or five nodes ({3, 4, 5}-Graphlets) are particularly popular. For all the above analysis tasks, excessive computational cost is a major challenge, which becomes severe for analyzing large networks with millions of vertices. To overcome this challenge, effective methodologies are in urgent need. Furthermore, the existence of efficient methods for graphlet analysis will encourage more works broadening the scope of graphlet analysis. For graphlet counting, we propose edge iteration based methods (ExactTC and ExactGC) for efficiently computing triple and graphlet counts. The proposed methods compute local graphlet statistics in the neighborhood of each edge in the network and then aggregate the local statistics to give the global characterization (transitivity, graphlet frequency distribution (GFD), etc) of the network. Scalability of the proposed methods is further improved by iterating over a sampled set of edges and estimating the triangle count (ApproxTC) and graphlet count (Graft) by approximate rescaling of the aggregated statistics. The independence of local feature vector construction corresponding to each edge makes the methods embarrassingly parallelizable. We show this by giving a parallel edge iteration method ParApproxTC for triangle counting. For graphlet sampling, we propose Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling based methods for triple and graphlet analysis. Proposed triple analysis methods, Vertex-MCMC and Triple-MCMC, estimate triangle count and network transitivity. Vertex-MCMC samples triples in two steps. First, the method selects a node (using the MCMC method) with probability proportional to the number of triples of which the node is a center. Then Vertex-MCMC samples uniformly from the triples centered by the selected node. The method Triple-MCMC samples triples by performing a MCMC walk in a triple sample space. Triple sample space consists of all the possible triples in a network. MCMC method performs triple sampling by walking form one triple to one of its neighboring triples in the triple space. We design the triple space in such a way that two triples are neighbors only if they share exactly two nodes. The proposed triple sampling algorithms Vertex-MCMC and Triple-MCMC are able to sample triples from any arbitrary distribution, as long as the weight of each triple is locally computable. The proposed methods are able to sample triples without the knowledge of the complete network structure. Information regarding only the local neighborhood structure of currently observed node or triple are enough to walk to the next node or triple. This gives the proposed methods a significant advantage: the capability to sample triples from networks that have restricted access, on which a direct sampling based method is simply not applicable. The proposed methods are also suitable for dynamic and large networks. Similar to the concept of Triple-MCMC, we propose Guise for sampling graphlets of sizes three, four and five ({3, 4, 5}-Graphlets). Guise samples graphlets, by performing a MCMC walk on a graphlet sample space, containing all the graphlets of sizes three, four and five in the network. Despite the proven utility of graphlets in static network analysis, works harnessing the ability of graphlets for dynamic network analysis are yet to come. Dynamic networks contain additional time information for their edges. With time, the topological structure of a dynamic network changes—edges can appear, disappear and reappear over time. In this direction, predicting the link state of a network at a future time, given a collection of link states at earlier times, is an important task with many real-life applications. In the existing literature, this task is known as link prediction in dynamic networks. Performing this task is more difficult than its counterpart in static networks because an effective feature representation of node-pair instances for the case of a dynamic network is hard to obtain. We design a novel graphlet transition based feature embedding for node-pair instances of a dynamic network. Our proposed method GraTFEL, uses automatic feature learning methodologies on such graphlet transition based features to give a low-dimensional feature embedding of unlabeled node-pair instances. The feature learning task is modeled as an optimal coding task where the objective is to minimize the reconstruction error. GraTFEL solves this optimization task by using a gradient descent method. We validate the effectiveness of the learned optimal feature embedding by utilizing it for link prediction in real-life dynamic networks. Specifically, we show that GraTFEL, which uses the extracted feature embedding of graphlet transition events, outperforms existing methods that use well-known link prediction features

Transformation in development planning frameworks for promotion of sustainable development of agriculture in Bangladesh

This research provides a critical investigation of Bangladesh agricultural development planning frameworks in light of principles of sustainable development of agriculture (SDA) with a view to guide the government in finding ways to promote sustainable development in the agriculture sector through planning process. Even though development planning is not a panacea for the promotion of sustainable development at the national level, this process is suggested in many important international consensuses for implementing the internationally agreed agendas at country level. The international consensus on sustainable development as formulated in the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) also suggest that governments find ways for internalisation of SDGs in governments’ planning processes and synchronise the SDGs with relevant ongoing processes of development. The integrated and universally applicable Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) incorporate some sustainable agriculture goals that have relevance to the principles agreed in different international forums for promotion of sustainable development. Moreover, sustainable agriculture goals are integrated with other relevant sustainable development goals, such as poverty eradication, elimination of inequality, biodiversity protection, addressing climate change and promotion of governance and citizen participation, right to information and access to justice at country level. These diversified but integrated goals are critical for sustainable development of the agriculture sector. Given that the SDGs are aspirational and seek internalisation at country level through development planning frameworks, this research finds some internationally agreed principles as the basis for internalisation of the goals of sustainable development of agriculture at country level. This policy research examines the appropriateness of Bangladesh development planning frameworks in promoting the SDA in light of seven SDA principles, derived from internationally agreed guidelines on sustainable development in the context of agriculture. These principles provide the basis for reviewing the adequacy of development planning frameworks at national level. Before reviewing the Bangladesh development planning frameworks, the research examines the agricultural development approaches of India that pursues sustainable development of agriculture through its planning frameworks. India has been selected for this purpose because of its similarities with Bangladesh in respect to planning frameworks, legal system and agricultural development approach. The Bangladesh development planning framework is reviewed to identify the gaps and improvements required for the promotion of SDA based on internationally agreed SDA principles and comparative experiences. This research finally recommends transformative proposals for filling the competency gaps in planning frameworks for promotion of SDA in Bangladesh. The promotion of SDA through development planning frameworks in Bangladesh requires an integrated agenda by different agencies, at different levels of the government, in a coordinated way. This change will need political commitment both at national and local level as well as good governance through transparent, participatory and accountability processes. The strong commitment of the government can advance the transformational agendas as has been seen in assistance to subsidies and other safety net programmes in Bangladesh. International cooperation in respect of technological development, capacity building and financing for implementing sustainable development interventions is also critical in promoting the SDA in Bangladesh

Sustain Water Conservation Behaviors Using Nonparametric Ranking and Social Marketing

Circulation of water use feedback and conservation messaging are strategies implemented to reduce water demand on a short-term (seasonal) basis. Often considered a less impactful strategy than other tactics such as price increments and usage restrictions, authorities mostly use feedback in informational campaigns with a focus to apprise users about their water use. Such conservation programs have had limited success that has been attributed to the fact that the information provided with the feedback campaigns was generic and did not motivate users enough to sustain their water-saving behaviors. However, the advent of disaggregation technologies that can provide appliance-wise water use data to households can drastically upgrade prior feedback and normative messaging approaches. Nevertheless, usage information is not enough to encourage users to adopt water-saving actions. Message selection should depend on its motivational potency, and users\u27 understanding of water conservation, which requires careful psychological analysis that feedback campaigns often ignore. Using the community-based social marketing strategy—a system that combines usage information and behavioral psychology to develop user-specific interventions—we developed a conceptual framework for a customized strategic messaging system that will provide household-specific water use information, behavior-specific water-saving tips, with strategic messages to motivate households adopt and sustain their water-saving habits. Result of this study will be beneficial to water managers who intend to use feedbacks and normative messaging for conservation purposes

A Laser Ion Source for Thin Film Deposition: Characterization of Source and Growth Conditions

Multicharged aluminum and carbon ions are generated by a laser-arc ion source. The design, construction, and testing of a compact laser ion source is demonstrated where the laser plasma is amplified by a high voltage spark-discharge. Optical emission and ion time-of-flight are measured for a spark-coupled laser aluminum plasma. A Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (wavelength λ = 1064 nm, pulse width τ ~7 ns, pulse energy Ep ≤ 260 mJ, intensity I ≤ 15 × 109 W/cm2) generates the Al plasma, while a synchronized spark-discharge enhances the ion flux and charge state. Time-integrated, spatially resolved optical spectra are used to obtain the plasma excitation temperature Te and density ne. The coupling of 2.4 J of spark-discharge to the laser plasma enhances the optical emission line intensity. The effective ion temperature Ti is calculated from a shifted Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution fit of the time-of-flight signal deconvolved for each ion charge. For I = 3.5 × 109 W/cm2, Ti is ~15 eV. For spark energy of 2.4 J coupled to the laser plasma, Ti increases to ~50 eV, and up to Al8+ is identified from the ion time-of-flight signal. The Ti obtained from the ion time-of-flight is much larger than Te obtained from optical spectroscopy, although the plasma is considered to be in local thermodynamic equilibrium. This result is explained in view of the temporal development of the ablation plume and the different plasma regions probed by the two methods. Multicharged carbon ions are also generated by a different laser-assisted spark-discharge (laser-arc) ion source configuration. A Q-switched Nd:YAG laser pulse (1064 nm, 7 ns, ≤ 4.5 × 109 W/cm2) focused onto the surface of a glassy carbon target results in its ablation. The spark-discharge (~1.2 J energy, ~1 μs duration) is initiated along the direction of the plume propagation between the target surface and a grounded mesh that is parallel to the target surface. Ions emitted from the laser-spark plasma are detected by their time-of-flight using a Faraday cup. The ion energy-to-charge ratio is analyzed by a three-mesh retarding field analyzer. In one set of experiments, the laser plasma is generated by target ablation using a 50 mJ laser pulse. In another set of experiments, ~1.2 J spark-discharge energy is coupled to the expanding plasma to increase the plasma density and temperature that results in the generation of carbon multicharged ions up to C6+. A delay-generator is used to control the time delay between the laser pulse and the thyratron trigger. The highest charge amplification is recorded at ~0.9 μs time delay between the laser pulse and spark-discharge. Ion generation from a laser pulse when a DC high-voltage is applied to the target is compared to that when a spark-discharge with equivalent pulsed voltage is applied to the target. The laser-coupled spark-discharge (7 kV peak voltage, 810 A peak current) increases the maximum detected ion charge state from C4+ to C6+, accompanied by an increase in the ion yield by a factor of ~6 compared to applying 7.0 kV DC voltage to the target. Pulse laser deposition is used to deposit Al thin film on Si substrate. The growth conditions of the Al thin-film are investigated using a femtosecond pump-probe setup. The thermomodulation response from the thin film is measured. The goal is to measure the thin-film heat transfer as well as the thickness of the thin film. A femtosecond (800 nm, 100 fs FWHM, 0.15 nJ/pulse) laser pulse creates acoustic-strain pulse in the Al thin film. The time of flight of the acoustic pulse shows that the echoes of the acoustic pulse reflected from the metal/substrate interface change the optical reflectivity at the film surface. This information can be used to determine the thin-film thickness. The sensitivity of the femtosecond pump-probe setup is in the range of 10-6. On-line thickness measurement of Al thin-film during pulse laser deposition is not successful due to the roughness of the thin film; instead, thermal evaporation on Si substrate is demonstrated by femtosecond optical pump-probe spectroscopy. A femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser pulse (wavelength λ = 800 nm, pulse width τ ∼ 100 fs, pulse energy Ep = 1.25 nJ) is used to instantaneously heat (pump) the surface of Al thin-film that changes the temperature profile of the target surface. The delayed probe pulse, also with λ = 800 nm, is used to investigate the change in transient thermoreflectance ΔR/R in order of 10-6 for the Al thin-film. The thermal expansion creates isotropic thermal stress in the Al surface that generates an acoustic wave of ultrasonic frequency. The travel time of the optically induced strain normal to the surface of the sample is measured to evaluate in-situ thickness measurement of Al in the range of 30 to 450 nm during the film deposition

Towards long term colloid suspension in a vertically rotated system.

Within a colloidal suspension gravity may compromise the observation of governing physical interactions, especially those that are weak and/or take significant time to develop. Conducting the experiment in a long-term microgravity environment is a viable option to negate gravitational effects, though significant resources are required to do so. While it may not be possible to simulate long-term microgravity terrestrially, particles can resist quick sedimentation in a confined suspension system rotating vertically with appropriate rotation speed. The goal of the investigation is to demonstrate the existence of long-term particle suspension regime for a certain colloidal suspension while characterizing colloidal behavior due to hydrodynamic interactions. First, to understand the colloidal suspension in a rotational system, I studied the colloidal behavior in such a system where colloidal particles and underlying surfaces interact to each other hydrodynamically. Therefore, I studied the collective behavior of colloidal particles (4.0 µm PMMA), located near the solid surface in a fluid medium confined in a cylindrical cell (3.0 mm diameter, 0.25 mm height) which was rotated vertically at a low rotational speed (20 rpm). The observed colloidal behavior was then validated through a Stokesian dynamics simulation where the concept of hydrodynamic contact force or lubrication interactions were avoided which is not physically intuitive and mathematically cumbersome. Rather, I adopted hard-sphere like colloidal collision or mobility model. I found that colloidal agglomeration is a function of the applied rotation scheme, either forming colloidal clusters or lanes. While evolving into dynamic structures, colloids also laterally migrate away from the underlying surface. While forming colloidal structures due to hydrodynamic interactions among particles and nearby solid surface, particles migrate away from the surface and eventually redistribute throughout the sample cell. After redistribution, I demonstrated long term colloidal stability within the sample cell. When particles are redistributed with relatively equal spacing and not concentrated near a solid surface, structure formation is minimized and does not evolve any further which can be considered as long-term suspension