The edge slide graph of the n-dimensional cube : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand

The goal of this thesis is to understand the spanning trees of the n-dimensional cube Qn by understanding their edge slide graph. An edge slide is a move that “slides” an edge of a spanning tree of Qn across a two-dimensional face, and the edge slide graph is the graph on the spanning trees of Qn with an edge between two trees if they are connected by an edge slide. Edge slides are a restricted form of an edge move, in which the edges involved in the move are constrained by the structure of Qn, and the edge slide graph is a subgraph of the tree graph of Qn given by edge moves. The signature of a spanning tree of Qn is the n-tuple (a1; : : : ; an), where ai is the number of edges in the ith direction. The signature of a tree is invariant under edge slides and is therefore constant on connected components. We say that a signature is connected if the trees with that signature lie in a single connected component, and disconnected otherwise. The goal of this research is to determine which signatures are connected. Signatures can be naturally classified as reducible or irreducible, with the reducible signatures being further divided into strictly reducible and quasi-irreducible signatures. We determine necessary and sufficient conditions for (a1; : : : ; an) to be a signature of Qn, and show that strictly reducible signatures are disconnected. We conjecture that strict reducibility is the only obstruction to connectivity, and present substantial partial progress towards an inductive proof of this conjecture. In particular, we reduce the inductive step to the problem of proving under the inductive hypothesis that every irreducible signature has a “splitting signature” for which the upright trees with that signature and splitting signature all lie in the same component. We establish this step for certain classes of signatures, but at present are unable to complete it for all. Hall’s Theorem plays an important role throughout the work, both in characterising the signatures, and in proving the existence of certain trees used in the arguments

Wavefront Propagation and Fuzzy Based Autonomous Navigation

Path planning and obstacle avoidance are the two major issues in any navigation system. Wavefront propagation algorithm, as a good path planner, can be used to determine an optimal path. Obstacle avoidance can be achieved using possibility theory. Combining these two functions enable a robot to autonomously navigate to its destination. This paper presents the approach and results in implementing an autonomous navigation system for an indoor mobile robot. The system developed is based on a laser sensor used to retrieve data to update a two dimensional world model of therobot environment. Waypoints in the path are incorporated into the obstacle avoidance. Features such as ageing of objects and smooth motion planning are implemented to enhance efficiency and also to cater for dynamic environments

Against Marrying a Stranger Marital Matchmaking Technologies in Saudi Arabia

Websites and applications that match and connect individuals for romantic purposes are commonly used in the Western world. However, there have not been many previous investigations focusing on cultural factors that affect the adoption of similar technologies in religiously conservative non-Western cultures. In this study, we examine the socio-technical and cultural factors that influence the perceptions and use of matchmaking technologies in Saudi Arabia. We report the methods and findings of interviews with 18 Saudi nationals (nine males and nine females) with diverse demographics and backgrounds. We provide qualitatively generated insights into the major themes reported by our participants related to the common approaches to matchmaking, the current role of technology, and concerns regarding matchmaking technologies in this cultural con-text. We relate these themes to specific implications for designing marital matchmaking technologies in Saudi Arabia and we outline opportunities for future investigations.Comment: 11 pages, 1 table, DIS 201

Status of Bahraini Women in the Banking and Financial Sector: Challenges and Opportunities

The purpose of this study is to investigate the current status and the challenges of Bahraini women in the financial and banking sector; this sector is in continuous growth and needs to invest in human resources properly to attract talents. To enhance women’s access to senior positions in this sector, it must acknowledge the factors that influence women leadership, where the significance of this study stands out. The study presents how different factors affect the mainstreaming of women progressing to the top-level management. The study followed both quantitative and qualitative methods in data collection, and three different types of survey have been used in the study. The first questionnaire was directed towards Bahraini working women, the second questionnaire was directed towards Bahraini women who have left the sector, and these two questionnaires contained implicit references to the factors of the study. The third questionnaire was directed towards the human resource managers in the financial and banking sector. The total number of Bahraini employees in this sector is 14,675, with about 37% Bahraini women, which represents 25% of the total workforce (Bahrainis and expatriates). The results illustrated that approximately 8% of women reached the Board of Directors and 4.5% of Bahraini women among the Bahraini workforce attained the position of CEO. According to the findings of the study, the most significant factor affecting Bahraini women in the workplace was “the need for women in leadership positions”. The factor with the lowest response was “fringe benefits”. In contrast, the factor relating to “family concerns affecting women” was less significant. Recommendations were made to guide every women on workforce participation and the decision-makers to try remove all or some of the barriers that might hinder women from reaching those positions, aiming to provide women equal access opportunities to leadership positions in the this essential sectors and other sectors in the future

Fire under the ashes: A year after Iran’s troubled elections

As some analysts expected, the anniversary of the Iranian elections passed with neither huge protests in the streets nor any prominent events taking place. Except for some student arrests and an individual attack against the former presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi, the Iranian regime proved that it is the master of the situation. This reality was made clear when leaders of the opposing green movement backed down from organizing protests days before the anniversary and instead apologized out of fear of security measures taken by the Iranian regime. Perceived as a serious weakness by their supporters, members of the opposition have decreased in number

Survival and disinfection of SARS-Cov-2 in environment and contaminated surface

The detection of SARS-Cov-2 in the sewage and water resources has increased the awareness among the people about the possibility survival of SARS-Cov-2 in the environment and the potential to transmit into the human through food chain or water resources. Moreover, the surface contaminated by the virus need to be disinfected frequently by using an effective disinfectant, the current chapter discussed the efficiency of the most traditional treatment process of the sewage and wastewater, and their role in the elimination of the virus as well as the sterility assurance level concept. Moreover, the chemical disinfectant used currently and their temporary efficiency has been reviewed

Construction Of An Intelligence Scale For Secondary School Students In Sana’a, Yemen

Minat tentang keupayaan mental telah meningkat kerana pembangunan negara. Setiap negara bersaing dalam menggalakkan bakat dan merangsang penduduk yang berbakat untuk bersaing di peringkat global Interest in mental aptitude has increased because of national development. Nations compete in encouraging talent and stimulating their gifted population so as to be competitive globall