A STUDY OF LONG-TERM SUNSPOTS AND K-INDEX GEOMETRIC CYCLES USING PROBABILISTIC MODELING

The research work done in this paper comprises the application of different well-known probability distribution models. This includes the understanding of the behavior and dynamics of 24 sunspot cycles with total data. The time-series data sets were selected from 1749 to 2014. To observe the solar activity effects on K-index activity the double cycles from 1932 to 2014 were also incorporated in the study. The comparative study is useful to observe the long-term solar-terrestrial connection. The magnetic field of the sun reverses its polarity after every 11 years of the cycle. So after every 22 years, the north pole becomes again north pole. By using the two well-known tests Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KST) and Anderson-Darling test (ADT) the probability distribution models were obtained for each sunspot cycles and compare. The significant probability models for all the sunspot cycles have been obtained. The fitted probability distribution models on selected data sets may be useful to understand the trend of solar and geomagnetic activity

Can HRM be Affirmed as a System? Applying General Systems Theory (GST) on Human Resource Management

General System Theory (GST) has presented some key concepts that Strategic HRM researchers use to link different HR Systems with organizational strategic goals and performance. In order to apply General System Theory’s underpinnings in Strategic HR literature and to establish the point that GST’s key concepts can be used to explore HR systems, it is necessary to first prove that HR as a distinct function of any organization and can be declared as a system. It is possible, if researchers can prove that all or most of the key concepts presented by GST are present in organization’s HR function and thus Systems Theory/Thinking principles can be applied to design and manage HR function. This conceptual paper takes a look at literature and analyzes all related assumptions of general systems theory in the context of HRM and concluded that HRM can be declared as a system

Computing Graph Descriptors on Edge Streams

Feature extraction is an essential task in graph analytics. These feature vectors, called graph descriptors, are used in downstream vector-space-based graph analysis models. This idea has proved fruitful in the past, with spectral-based graph descriptors providing state-of-the-art classification accuracy. However, known algorithms to compute meaningful descriptors do not scale to large graphs since: (1) they require storing the entire graph in memory, and (2) the end-user has no control over the algorithm's runtime. In this paper, we present streaming algorithms to approximately compute three different graph descriptors capturing the essential structure of graphs. Operating on edge streams allows us to avoid storing the entire graph in memory, and controlling the sample size enables us to keep the runtime of our algorithms within desired bounds. We demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed descriptors by analyzing the approximation error and classification accuracy. Our scalable algorithms compute descriptors of graphs with millions of edges within minutes. Moreover, these descriptors yield predictive accuracy comparable to the state-of-the-art methods but can be computed using only 25% as much memory.Comment: Extension of work accepted to PAKDD 202

Comparison of Intravenous Co-amoxiclav and Benzyl Penicillin in Children with Severe Streptococcal Tonsillitis

Background: Streptococcal tonsillitis is a common pediatric ailment which is faced by physicians on a daily basis and is associated with disastrous complications if not treated adequately. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of intravenous co-amoxiclav with benzyl penicillin in the treatment of severe streptococcal tonsillitis in children. Material and Methods: This Randomized Controlled Trial was carried out at CMH Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from January 2018 to November 2019. A total of 310 children with severe tonsillitis, aged between 5 to 15 years were selected from outpatient department of Combined Military Hospital Mardan. The cases were divided into two groups. Injection co-amoxiclav was given to patients in Group A (n=155) and injection benzyl penicillin was administered to patients in Group B (n=155). Both groups were compared in terms of effectiveness of treatment, safety and cost effectiveness. All the data was assessed with help of SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 21. Chi square and independent T test were used with P-value < 0.05 taken as statistically significant. Results: There were 310 children with severe tonsillitis, 155 in each group. Mean age in Group A was 9.35 ± 3.17 years and in Group B, 9.96 ± 2.96 years, respectively. In Group A, 2 cases developed hypersensitivity to injection co-amoxiclav after initial test dose as compared to 3 cases in Group B. Mean duration for complete resolution of symptoms (i.e. hospital stay) was 4.13 ± 0.375 days for Group A as compared to 4.09 ± 0.377 days for Group B (P=0.458). Mean cost of antibiotic drugs for each child in Group A was Rs. 965.88 ± 298 and in Group B was Rs. 152.36 ± 53. Benzyl penicillin was found to be significantly cost effective as compared to co-amoxiclav (P=0.000). Conclusions: Both the drugs have similar efficacy and safety profile in the treatment of severe streptococcal tonsillitis in children. However, benzyl penicillin is more cost effective than co-amoxiclav in our study population. Clinical Trail Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT0421577