A space-time pseudospectral discretization method for solving diffusion optimal control problems with two-sided fractional derivatives

We propose a direct numerical method for the solution of an optimal control problem governed by a two-side space-fractional diffusion equation. The presented method contains two main steps. In the first step, the space variable is discretized by using the Jacobi-Gauss pseudospectral discretization and, in this way, the original problem is transformed into a classical integer-order optimal control problem. The main challenge, which we faced in this step, is to derive the left and right fractional differentiation matrices. In this respect, novel techniques for derivation of these matrices are presented. In the second step, the Legendre-Gauss-Radau pseudospectral method is employed. With these two steps, the original problem is converted into a convex quadratic optimization problem, which can be solved efficiently by available methods. Our approach can be easily implemented and extended to cover fractional optimal control problems with state constraints. Five test examples are provided to demonstrate the efficiency and validity of the presented method. The results show that our method reaches the solutions with good accuracy and a low CPU time.Comment: This is a preprint of a paper whose final and definite form is with 'Journal of Vibration and Control', available from [http://journals.sagepub.com/home/jvc]. Submitted 02-June-2018; Revised 03-Sept-2018; Accepted 12-Oct-201

Distribution of freshwater turtles in Punjab, Pakistan

A total of 3528 specimens of freshwater turtles belonging to two families viz., Geoemydidae (brown river turtle, Kachuga smithi; Indian saw-backed turtle, K. tecta; Brahminy river turtle, Hardella thurgi; spotted pond turtle, Geoclemys hamiltonii) and Trionychidae (Indian soft-shell turtle, Aspederates gangeticus; peacock soft-shell turtle, A. hurum; narrow-headed soft-shell turtle, Chitra indica; Indian flap-shell turtle, Lissemys punciata) were identified. Kachuga smithi (43.62%) and K. tecta (42.06%) had abundant population status, whereas, Hardella thurgi (0.88%) and Chitra indica (0.54%) were rare. Capturing of turtles for supply to foreigners and export is a major threat to these animals. Fishermen also kill them during fishing. Canal closure and de-silting is also harmful to turtles. It is concluded that it is necessary to provide immediate legal protection/coverage to all turtle species under the Punjab Wildlife Act, 1974, Pakistan; otherwise turtle species will become extinct

The Impact of Organizational Structure on Employees’ Creativity: A Sector Based Study

The paper examines the main building blocks of organizational structure that influence the employees’ creativity in telecommunication sector of Pakistan. The three elements of organizational structure including centralization, formalization and work specialization were selected to find out the impact of organizational structure on the employees’ creativity at workplace. The results revealed that centralization and formalization strongly and negatively influence the creativity management at workplace whereas work specialization has a less significant negative influence on employees’ creativity as compared to the other two elements of organizational structure. The findings of the study will help the managers and top management of the organization to make effective structural changes associated with the employees’ creativity. Keywords: Creativity, Formalization, Centralization, Work Specializatio

Stock Market Returns and Weather Anomaly: Evidence from an Emerging Economy

Financial economists believe that the arbitrage forces in the market are the main reason of market efficiency and these forces are the fundamental concept of efficient market hypothesis (EMH). During last few years, various theoretical and empirical evidences have been presented to support the work of financial modeling for the markets with less than rational investors whose trading strategies are based on psychological factors like mood and emotions. Weather condition is among the substantial factors affecting investors’ mood and emotions. Present study investigates the impact of temperature on stock market returns in emerging economy of Pakistan. Using the daily temperature records and stock market indices of Karachi and Islamabad, the study has employed auto regressive (AR) – generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) model from 2006 to 2010. Based on AR (1)-GARCH (1, 1) estimation the study has found that weather temperatures of both Karachi and Islamabad are negatively related with Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) and Islamabad Stock Exchange (ISE) index returns, respectively

Predictors for neonatal death in the rural areas of Shaanxi Province of Northwestern China: a cross-sectional study

Background Almost all (99%) neonatal deaths arise in low-income and middle-income countries. Approximately 450 new-born children die every hour, which is mainly from preventable causes. There has been increased recognition of the need for these countries to implement public health interventions that specifically target neonatal deaths. The purpose of this paper is to identify the predictors of neonatal death in Type 4 rural (poorest) counties in Shaanxi Province of northwestern China. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Shaanxi Province, China. A single-stage survey design was identified to estimate standard errors. Because of concern about the complex sample design, the data were analysed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Socioeconomic and maternal health service utilization factors were added into the model. Results During the study period, a total of 4750 women who delivered in the past three years were randomly selected for interview in the five counties. There were 4880 live births and 54 neonatal deaths identified. In the multiple logistic regression, the odds of neonatal death was significantly higher for multiparous women (OR = 2.77; 95% CI: 1.34, 5.70) and women who did not receive antennal health care in the first trimester of pregnancy (OR = 2.49; 95% CI: 1.41, 4.40). Women who gave birth in a county-level hospital (OR = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.86) and had junior high school or higher education level (OR = 0.20; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.84) were significantly protected from neonatal death. Conclusions Public health interventions directed at reducing neonatal death should address the socioeconomic factors and maternal health service utilization, which significantly influence neonatal mortality in rural China. Multipara, low educational level of the women, availability of prenatal visits in the first trimester of pregnancy and hospital delivery should be considered when planning the interventions to reduce the neonatal mortality in rural areas

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy

Sources of banking sector development: Case of Pakistan

This study intends to examine the sources of banking sector development of Pakistan, using capital formation, interest rate, trade deficit, general price level, and remittances as the proposed indicators. There is a lack of studies that investigate the impact of investment and trade deficit on the development of the banking sector. The empirical data for the study is taken from World Development Indicators for 38 years. For reliable estimates, the ARDL cointegration technique has been used to estimate the long-run determinants of the development of the banking sector and financial inclusion. Domestic credit to the private sector has been used as a proxy for the banking sector development because of its market orientation. The results show that an increase in the investment, imports, and general price level leads to an increase in the provision of domestic credit which leads to banking sector development

Bank Competition–Stability Relations in Pakistan: A Comparison between Islamic and Conventional Banks

This study comparatively analyses the financial stability of Islamic and conventional banks in Pakistan. Using data of 29 conventional and 9 Islamic banks over 18 years, the study first estimates bank competition and stability using Lerner index and Z-Score, respectively. Generalized least squares regression is used and the coefficients are estimated by using random-effects estimator. Results of the mean comparison show that Islamic banks carry more market power (less competition) and are more stable compared to their conventional counterparts. Results of a panel regression show that competition positively affects the stability of the banking sector and this effect is higher for Islamic banks due to their market power. Results also show that bank stability in Pakistan was reduced during global crisis period; however, presence of Islamic banks contributes to the stability even during crisis. Finally, this study supports the competition-stability hypothesis for Islamic banking in Pakistan. Recommendations are given at the end

Dwindling status of Epimedium elatum (Morren & Decne) and its geographical distribution in Kashmir Himalaya, India

Epimedium elatum (Morren & Decne) of family Berberidaceace is a rare perennial medicinal plant, endemic to high altitude forests of Northwestern Himalayas in India. Ethnobotanically, it has been used as an ingredient for treatment of bone-joint disorders, impotence and kidney disorders in Kashmir Himalayas. Phytochemically, it is rich in Epimedin ABC and Icariin; all of these have been demonstrated to possess remarkable biological activities like PDE-5 inhibition (treatment of erectile dysfunction), anticancer, antiosteoporosis antioxidant and antiviral properties. The present investigation reports its traditional usage, comprehensive distribution and conservation status from twenty ecogeographical regions in Kashmir Himalayas, India. The species was reported from Gurez valley for the first time. Numerous threats like excessive grazing, deforestration, habitat fragmentation, tourism encroachment, landslides and excessive exploitation have decreased its natural populations in most of the surveyed habitats. Consequently, its existence may become threatened in near future if timely conservation steps are not taken immediately by concerned stakeholders involved in medicinal plant research. Moreover, use of plant tissue culture techniques is recommended for development of its in vitro propagation protocols. Therefore, introduction of this medicinal plant in botanical gardens, protected sites and development of monitoring programmes are needed for its immediate conservation in Northwestern Himalayas, India