National Defence University, Pakistan

About: National Defence University, Pakistan is a education organization based out in Islamabad, Pakistan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Context (language use) & Decision support system. The organization has 802 authors who have published 816 publications receiving 3701 citations. The organization is also known as: National Defence University of Pakistan & National Defence University Islamabad.

Preparation and characterization of polymer blend based on sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) and polyetherimide (SPEEK/PEI) as proton exchange membranes for fuel cells

Abstract: Blends of sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) and polyetherimide (PEI) were prepared in five different weight ratios using N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as solvent by the solution cast technique. The degree of sulfonation (DS) of the sulfonated PEEK was determined from deuterated dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO-d6) solution of the purified polymer using 1H NMR method. The properties studied in the present investigation includes conductivity, water uptake, thermal stability and structure analysis of pure SPEEK as well as SPEEK-PEI polymer blend membranes. The experimental results show that the conductivity of the membranes increased with increase in temperature from 30 to 80°C, except for that of pure SPEEK membrane which increased with temperature from 30 to 60°C while its conductivity decreased with increasing temperature from 60 to 80°C. The conductivity of 70wt.%SPEEK-30wt.%PEI blend membrane at 80% relative humidity (RH) is found to be 1.361 × 10−3 Scm−1 at 30°C and 3.383 × 10−3 Scm−1 at 80°C respectively. It was also found that water uptake and thermal stability of the membranes slightly improved upon blending with PEI. Structure analysis was carried out using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy which revealed considerable interactions between sulfonic acid group of SPEEK and imide groups of PEI. Modification of SPEEK by blending with PEI shows good potential for improving the electrical and physical properties of proton exchange membranes.

Development of the survivability indicators forecasting method of the special-purpose system executive element based on analytical and stochastic simulation of a conflict situation

Abstract: The developed method for forecasting the survivability indicators of the executive element of a special-purpose system based on analytical-stochastic simulation of a conflict situation is presented. The purpose of the method was to solve the problem of preserving and rational use of the resource of the executive elements to achieve the desired effect of the functioning of special-purpose systems. The method is sensitive to the description of the patterns of changes in the survivability and efficiency indicators of the system. It is supposed to compare the predicted value of the survivability indicator with its criterion value and forecast the time when the system loses the ability to effectively perform tasks. The survivability indicator is the mathematical expectation of the number of executive elements of a special-purpose system, which retained their ability to perform tasks as intended during a conflict situation. Based on the results of the study, the values of the time characteristics of a conflict situation were obtained, in particular, the duration of the corresponding states of the executive element: preparation, waiting, implementation. Graph-analytical simulation provides a solution to the problem of forecasting the time when the loss of executive elements leads to the system’s inability to effectively perform tasks. Checking of the adequacy of the method showed that the confidence interval of the discrepancy between the calculation results of other methods with a confidence level of 0.9 does not exceed 0.095, and no contradictions between the methods were found. The proposed method provides an increase in the efficiency of determining the corresponding indicators within 8–11 % and reliability by 22 %. The possibility to determine the required reserve and the time for introducing executive elements into the system can provide a justification for how they are used to maintain the required level of efficiency of a special-purpose system.

Pakistan's Telecom Sector: A Case Study of ZONG

Abstract: Telecom sector have undergone a radical change in the recent years. Once operating in a non-competitive environment similar to utilities, it is now facing true competition not only from domestic but also from international competitors. In order to keep themselves up-to-date, telecom sector members have improved and strengthened their internal as well as external policies. As a result, they are spending more on advertising and branding concepts and at the same time continuously improving their workforce. A very important factor of skilled workforce in an organization is that it reduces the cost and also helps to maintain an unbreakable and long lasting relationship with the various facets of consumer behavior. Now the companies have realized that by concentrating more on their work force, they can achieve better efficiency and higher profits. Although HR department has been ignored in Pakistan for many decades, but now it has been proved from the experience of other companies that without applying HR policies, no organization can achieve efficiency and perfect labor force. ZONG Talking about ZONG, it is the first International brand of China Mobile being launched in Pakistan. It is meant to empower and liberate the people of Pakistan in every nook and corner of the country. It will become a part of their hearts, their minds and bring about a change in their lives that everyone desired but few thought would be possible. The core essence of ZONG is to allow people to communicate at will without worrying about tariffs, network coverage, capacity issues or congestion. ZONG will be supported by ground breaking communications, trend setting customer service and an unmatched product offering which will redefine rules of the game and establish ZONG as a serious competitor for the number one spot. ZONG offers its customers with entertaining & innovative value added services and empowering them by giving a wide variety of products, services & content to choose from. They are honored to be the revolutionary country introducing this brand with others to follow. And their aim is to make ZONG a success story for others to try and reproduce. With ambitious plans to provide to the fastest growing Pakistani market and to win over the ever demanding Pakistani customer, it will be offering extraordinary coverage, voice and data services as well as a wide range of tariff options to choose from. CMPaks edge comes from the experience and expertise of running the worlds largest telecom service and the commitment they make to setting quality and customer relations standards. CMPak is geared to offer neatly packaged VAS products that will benefit the individuals, corporate as well as small businesses. Led by a team of professionals from the field of cellular communication, CMPak is determined to make its mark in the Pakistani market and to change the way people communicate. China Mobile Pakistan (ZONG) is a 100% subsidiary of China Mobile.So far CMPak has invested more than US$ 700 million in the telecom sector in Pakistan and an additional US$ 800 million has been invested till the end of year 2008. These largest investments by CMPak act as ambassador of friendship between China and Pakistan. CMPak will invest more investments to enhance its services and bring innovation to sustain its leadership in the Telecom industry of Pakistan. ZONG is having its operative roots in China and Pakistan, so we can regard it as an international telecom company, having its parent company CMCC in China. With the help of globalization, HR management has an advantage of having a bigger pool of workers to be chosen from.

The hidden grand narrative of western military policy: a linguistic analysis of american strategic communication

Abstract: Strategic communication has replaced information warfare. As Art of War has been replaced by science, the representations of war and the role of the military have changed. Both war and military forces are now associated with binary roles: destruction vs. humanity, killing vs. liberating. The logic behind 'bombing for peace' is encoded in the Grand Military Narrative. This narrative is hidden in American (and NATO) strategies such as Effects Based Operations, which rely heavily on technology. As people aim to rationalize the world with technology, they fail to take into account the uncertainty it brings. In warfare, that uncertainty is verbalized as “friendly fire”, “collateral damage” or simply as “accident”. Success and failure are up to technology. Technology is no longer a tool, but an ideology and an actor that not only 'enables' the military to take action, but legitimizes it. This article aims to contribute to military studies by analyzing, in the spirit of critical discourse analysis, American 'Grand Military Narrative' and the standard and trends of rhetoric it creates. The article focuses on pinpointing some of the linguistic choices and discourses that define the so-called 'techno-speak', the product of modern techno-ideology. These discourses result in representations of techno-centered binary values, which steer military strategy and foreign policy.