A study of feature selection algorithms for accuracy estimation

The main purpose of Feature Subset Selection is to find a reduced subset of attributes from a data set described by a feature set. The task of a feature selection algorithm (FSA) is to provide with a computational solution motivated by a certain defi nition of relevance or by a reliable evaluation measure. Feature weighting is a technique used to approximate the optimal degree of influence of individual features using a training set. When successfully applied relevant features are attributed a high weight value, whereas irrelevant features are given a weight value close to zero. Feature weighting can be used not only to improve classi cation accuracy but also to discard features with weights below a certain threshold value and thereby increase the resource efi ciency of the classifier. In this work several fundamental feature weighting algorithms (FWAs) are studied to assess their performance in a controlled experimental scenario. A measure to evaluate FWAs score is devised that computes the degree of matching between the output given by a FWAs and the known optimal solutions. A study of relation between the score obtained from the di fferent classi fiers, variance of the score in the di fferent sample size is carried out as well as the relation between the score and the estimated probability of error of the model (Pe) for the classification problems and the square error (e2) for the regression problem

Impact of Export Composition on Economic Growth in South Asia

The primary objective of this study is to analyze the impact of export composition on economic growth in South Asian countries (Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) from 1990 to 2013. Vertical and horizontal export diversification and their relation with economic growth are also analyzed in this study. Export composition, vertical and horizontal exports diversification are augmented in Cobb-Douglas production function in three models respectively. Herfindal index is used for measuring the export composition that reveals export diversification exists in South Asian countries. Results showed that export composition and vertical export diversification have inverted U relationship with economic growth, while horizontal export diversification has U shape relationship with economic growth. Moving from primary exports to manufacture exports linked with economic growth via externalities of learning by doing as vertical exports are positively related with GDP. Government should encourage the exporters to increase diversification in their export portfolio and provide incentives and technical assistance for research and development to move the exports from primary sector to manufacturing sector

Finite element analysis of the flexural behavior of square CFST beams at ambient and elevated temperature

[EN] This paper presents the finite element (FE) analysis and modeling of square concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) members subjected to a flexural load at ambient and elevated temperature. The commercial FE tool ANSYS was used in the 3D modeling taking into consideration material and geometric non-linearities. The developed FE model can accurately predict the ultimate moment capacity of the square CFST members subjected to flexural loads and fire resistance time. A parametric study is conducted using the verified FE model to study the effect of the compressive strength of infilled concrete and the yield strength of the steel tube on the flexural behavior of the square CFST members. The ultimate bending capacity of the CFST members increases by up to 27% when the yield strength of the steel tube increases from 210 MPa to 400 MPa while its fire resistance time decreases. For a D/t ratio equal to 30, the flexural capacity increases by 20% when the compressive strength of the infilled concrete increases from 60 MPa to 100 MPa, while it shows increase in fire resistance time.This research was supported by University Malaya Postgraduate Research Fund (PPP –Project No. PG155–2015B).Javed, M.; Ramli Sulong, NH.; Khan, N.; Kashif, S. (2018). Finite element analysis of the flexural behavior of square CFST beams at ambient and elevated temperature. En Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Advances in Steel-Concrete Composite Structures. ASCCS 2018. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 843-850. https://doi.org/10.4995/ASCCS2018.2018.7236OCS84385

A Descriptive Study: Integration of Technology Bring Flexibility to Distance Education in Pakistan

Due to the ability to learn, think and decide, Human is declared as “Better” in whole living creation in the universe. Education is encouraged in all the religions including Islam. As the First word in the Quran is “Iqra” means Read. From the books of Hadith and the example of Battle of Badar, the importance of education can be found. In the world, normally two types of education sectors are exists, one is regular education with physically existence of classes and second is distance education. In this research, focus of the research team is on Distance Education and Technological Integration in Distance Education along with the flexibility that technology brings to Distance Education in Pakistan. For this descriptive study the data used is gathered from secondary sources such as web sites of distance education universities in Pakistan, head offices and university magazines. For this research, two major distance education universities are discussed which are Allama Iqbal Open University and Virtual University of Pakistan. The Research describes that Distance Education Starts in 1974 in Pakistan and Pakistan has the honor to be the first country in Asia who introduce Open University concept and distance education and 2nd in the World. Allama Iqbal Open University started its distance education initially by hiring the tutors in the different institutions for its student nationwide. However, with IET development the teaching method converted from traditional tutor system to the tutoring broadcast on television and radio network. But the examination system remains as traditional which was paper based examination system along with the paper based assignments for evaluating the student. In 2002, First IT Based University “Virtual University of Pakistan” came into being and developed VULMS Virtual University learning management system. Virtual University of Pakistan is the first IT Based and totally equipped with modern information and communication technology. VULMS contains virtual class room which can be accessed by the student by providing unique student ID and password. VULMS contains video lectures of the student having revise listening option which is better than television broadcast. VULMS allow the student to download their assignment through internet from anywhere and also submit them. It also has the complete section of student Fee record, result record and other services like paper rechecking, freeze and unfreeze the semesters, apply for degree and result card etc. In 2008, Virtual University introduced online examination system which replace traditional paper system in distance education and with online system of education the next step of Virtual University was to introduce the facility of making own date sheet option for the students. By realizing that majority of the students in distance education are professional so this service was given to students. While remaining in the announced exam timing students can select dates, timing and exam city on their own for examination as per their availability. This research describe all the phases of these technological integration one by one phase wise and discuss the impact of these integration in term of brining flexibility for the students of distance education in Pakistan. Keyword: Education, Distance Education, Technology in Education, Education in Pakista

ORGANIZATIONAL POLITICS AND PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES: INVESTIGATING THE BUFFERING EFFECT OF ORGANIZATIONAL JUSTICE

In current study, it was theorized that perceived fairness reduces the detrimental effects of perception of organizational politics on performance outcomes of organizations i.e. organizational commitment, managerial effectiveness and organizational performance. To test this exposition, data of 243 managerial employees of banking sector have been obtained and used to find out the moderating effect of organizational justice on perception of organizational politics and performance outcomes. The findings reached at the conclusion that distributive and procedural dimensions of the organizational justice safeguard the damaging effects of perception of organizational politics on performance but interactional justice has not verified as moderator. This study extends the fairness theory and recommends management to flourish fairness culture in organizations to reduce the injurious effects of organizational politics in the workplace

An investigative study on the confessional statement and its impact on criminal trial in Pakistan

The role of confession by the accused person has an important place in the judicial structure of Pakistan. The courts evaluate the admissibility of the confessional statement and apply their judicial mind with free consent. The legal framework of Pakistan including QSO 1984, and Cr. P. C 1898 provides basic law and procedure to record a confession in the criminal justice system. However, the accused is not being dealt with fairly while recording confessions at the pre-trial and trial stage. Usually, police use undue influence to record a confessional statement. The procedures adopted for the recording of confession during the pendency of the trial. The current study has evaluated the values and norms of recording confessional statements. This research paper adopted the doctrinal research methodology to achieve the objectives. In addition, it also argues for the acceptability of the confession of co-accused in the criminal justice system. Moreover, this research evaluates the validity of a confessional statement in the justice process in Pakistan. Lastly, this research discusses the executable references regarding the recording of confession at all stages and its value in the eyes of law to uphold justice and avoid the unjust

B-type natriuretic peptide versus amino terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide: selecting the optimal heart failure marker in patients with impaired kidney function

Background: The effect of impaired kidney function on B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) is vague. This study was performed to examine the effect of kidney dysfunction on the afore-mentioned markers and determine appropriate cutoffs for systolic heart failure (SHF). Methods: In this cross sectional study adults with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)/min for ≥3 months were identified in consulting clinics from June 2009 to March 2010. SHF was defined as documented by a cardiologist with ejection fraction of \u3c 40% and assessed by New York Heart Association classification (NYHA). Plasma was assayed for creatinine (Cr), BNP and NT-proBNP. Results: A total of 190 subjects were enrolled in the study, 95 with and 95 without SHF. The mean age of patients was 58 (±15) years, 67.4% being males. Mean BNP levels showed a 2.5 fold and 1.5 fold increase from chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3 to stage 5 in patients with and without SHF respectively. NT-proBNP levels in non-heart failure group were 3 fold higher in CKD stage 5 compared to stage 3. Mean NT-proBNP levels were 4 fold higher in CKD stage 5 compared to stage 3 in patients with SHF. Optimal BNP and NT-proBNP cutoffs of SHF diagnosis for the entire CKD group were 300 pg/ml and 4502 pg/ml respectively. Conclusion: BNP and NT-proBNP were elevated in kidney dysfunction even in the absence of SHF; however the magnitude of increase in NT-proBNP was greater than that of BNP. BNP and NT-proBNP can be useful in diagnosing SHF, nonetheless, by using higher cutoffs stratified according to kidney dysfunction. NT-proBNP appears to predict heart failure better than BNP