Estimating Reliability for Frechet (3+1) Cascade Model

In this paper, the mathematical formula of the reliability function of a special (3+1) cascade model is found, where this model can work with three active components if it is able to cope with the stresses to which it is subjected, while the cascade 3+1 model consists of four components, where the components (A1,A2 and A3) are the basic components in the model and component (A4)  is a spare component in an active state of readiness, so when any of the three core components (A1,A2 and A3)  fails to  copy with the stress they are under and stops working, they are replaced by the standby component  (A4) readiness to keep the model running, it was assumed that the random variables of stress and strength follow one of the statistical life distributions, which is the Frechet distribution. The unknown parameters of the Ferchet distribution were estimated by three different estimation methods (maximum likelihood, least square, and regression), and then the reliability function of the model was estimated by these different methods. A Monte Carlo simulation was performed using MATLAB software to compare the results of different estimation methods and find out which methods are the best for estimating the reliability of the model using two statistical criteria: MSE and MAPE and using different sample sizes. After completing the comparison of the simulation results, it was found that the maximum likelihood estimator is the best for estimating the reliability function of the model among the three different estimation method

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma presenting as testicular mass; a diagnostic challenge

Background: T-cell lymphomas involve the testis infrequently, which deserve special attention because of the poor prognosis and the need to make an appropriate diagnosis, which could lead to a better therapeutic strategy.Case Presentation: A 40-year-old man presented with right testicular swelling for past three months. The swelling was painless, hard and rubbery. Testicular ultrasound showed diffuse increase in size of the testicle, with alteration in its echogenicity. The patient underwent orchidectomy, and based on histopathological and immunohistochemical tests, a peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified was diagnosed.Conclusion: Testicular peripheral T-cell lymphomas are rare and aggressive cancers, with clinical differentials of seminoma and non-neoplastic conditions

K Wire fixation of supra-condylar humerus fractures in children. Is ulnar nerve at risk?

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To compare iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury in lateral entry pin fixation versus medial and lateral entry pin fixation in the treatment of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. Measurement of clinical parameters in terms of elbow range of motion and postop radiographic alignment was also targeted. METHODS: The retrospective cohort study was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised data of paediatric patients who underwent closed reduction and percutaneous pin fixation for the treatment of displaced extension type supracondylar fractures of the humerus between July 2007 and June 2012. Data regarding socio-demographic status, disease and procedure variables was collected from patient files and was analysed using SPSS 19. RESULTS: There were 71patients; 37(52%) in the lateral entry group and 34(48%) in the medial and lateral entry group. The two groups were similar in terms of mean age, gender distribution, and preoperative displacement, comminution, and associated vascular and nerve status (p\u3e 0.05 each). There were no cases of iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury in either group and no significant differences between groups with respect to the elbow range of motion and radiological parameters (p\u3e 0.05 each). CONCLUSIONS: With the use of the specific techniques employed, both lateral entry pin fixation and medial and lateral entry pin fixation were effective in the treatment of displaced extension type supracondylar humerus fractures in children

ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION: SOURCE OF GRADUATE EMPLOYABILITY AND WELLBEING

Access to higher education has been the subject of considerable debate among policy makers and academicians. But the concept lacks empirical evidence regarding its impact upon students and societal outcomes. This study provides empirical answer to the research question: how do access to higher education and teachers’ support relate to graduates’ self-perceived employability and psychological wellbeing? The data were collected from 520 students of bachelors and master’s programs in rural campuses of an oldest University of Pakistan and analyzed through Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) using AMOS and SPSS software. Results reveal that access to higher education and teachers support are positively related with selfperceived employability of graduating student with little or no difference among gender. Whereas, teachers support also contributes to psychological wellbeing of the students. The impact of access to higher education on psychological wellbeing was insignificant. This study provides implications for universities, policy makers, and human resource management professionals regarding enhancement of graduate employability. Keywords: access to higher education, psychological well-being, self-perceivedemployability, teachers’ suppor

A Temporal Analysis of Economic Growth and Its Determinants in Pakistan

Economic growth is the desire of every economy. It is one of the most important variables which need to be explored in any economy, especially in economy like Pakistan which is facing low economic growth. The key objective of the study is to investigate temporal analysis of economic growth in Pakistan using the data set ranging 1978-2014. Impact of human capital, government consumption expenditure (government size), gross total investment, trade and financial development has been estimated on economic growth. For long run and short run analysisJohansen co integration and error correction model respectively have been usedbecause the data was found stationary at its first difference. When data is found stationary at its first difference, then the technique of ordinary least square (OLS) does not work. Government consumption expenditure, human capital, gross total investment and trade have significant positive while financial development has insignificant positive impact on economic growth. The study is important for policy makers because it discusses the impact of some important economic variables on economic growth

Impact of Brand Loyalty on Brand Extension

The key objective of this study is to explore the effects of different dimensions of brand loyalty towards the original brand on the evaluation of brand extensions. This was a primary research and questionnaire was distributed among 200 respondents and 183 were processed for analysis. The target respondents were the students of different universities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The scale was taken from the existing research (Hem and Iversen, 2003). SPSS was used to analyze the data. The result finds that there is positive and significant relationship between brand loyalty and brand extension. So on the bases of these results that all the hypotheses (H1, H2, H3, H4 and H5) are proved positively and significantly and affect the evaluation of brand extension. Keywords: Brand Loyalty, Brand Extension, original bran

Price Clustering After the Introduction of Bitcoin Futures

Economic theory suggests that introduction of derivative contracts can improve the informational efficiency of the underlying asset prices (Danthine, 1978). In this study, we examine the impact of the introduction of Bitcoin futures on price clustering in Bitcoin. Our findings suggest that price clustering in Bitcoin meaningfully decreases post the introduction of its futures contracts

MEASURING ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION: DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF SCALE

The present study is an endeavor to develop and validateAccess to Higher Education Scale (AHES) by administering it in astratified sample of 51 predominantly third years’ bachelors programstudents enrolled in newly established distant campuses in rural areasof Sindh, Pakistan. Exploratory factor analysis was carried out toanalyze the data. This revealed good reliability and validity of scaleand identified a two factor model. The data were further used toundertake confirmatory factor analysis. Results confirmed thereliability and validity of the scale. This study also used three otherscales i.e. Teachers Support, Self-perceived Employability andPsychological Wellbeing for the validity of AHES. Shorter versions ofthese scales were confirmed through their adequate reliability andvalidity. Scholars in education and human resource management fieldcan further use these scales to measure students’ outcome of graduateemployability and psychological wellbeing