Hybrid Coding Technique for Pulse Detection in an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer

The paper introduces a novel hybrid coding technique for improved pulse detection in an optical time domain reflectometer. The hybrid schemes combines Simplex codes with signal averaging to articulate a very sophisticated coding technique that considerably reduces the processing time to extract specified coding gains in comparison to the existing techniques. The paper quantifies the coding gain of the hybrid scheme mathematically and provide simulative results in direct agreement with the theoretical performance. Furthermore, the hybrid scheme has been tested on our self-developed OTDR

A Robust Variable Step Size Fractional Least Mean Square (RVSS-FLMS) Algorithm

In this paper, we propose an adaptive framework for the variable step size of the fractional least mean square (FLMS) algorithm. The proposed algorithm named the robust variable step size-FLMS (RVSS-FLMS), dynamically updates the step size of the FLMS to achieve high convergence rate with low steady state error. For the evaluation purpose, the problem of system identification is considered. The experiments clearly show that the proposed approach achieves better convergence rate compared to the FLMS and adaptive step-size modified FLMS (AMFLMS).Comment: 15 pages, 3 figures, 13th IEEE Colloquium on Signal Processing & its Applications (CSPA 2017

RISK FACTORS OF HUMAN RABIES IN SOUTH ASIA: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Background Rabies as a zoonotic viral disease is one of the neglected tropical diseases with high incidence among the poorest communities of least developed and developing countries of Africa and Asia. Aim This study aims to investigate the risk factors of human rabies in south Asia, with focus on Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. Method A systematic review approach was adopted, which included studies that identified the risk factors of human rabies in the three south Asian countries from 2007 to 2016. Electronic databases searched include PsycINFO, PubMed Central [PMC] and Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature [CINAHL]. Appropriate data screening was carried out to extract relevant articles. Finally, the articles were quality appraised and synthesized with a narrative synthesis approach. Result Eight relevant studies were finally identified, with either moderate or high quality. The studies identified one or more risk factors of human rabies. The findings include; animal bite mostly from certain stray animals (dog, cat, monkey and rat). Secondly, poor knowledge/awareness of the people about human rabies, thus people were ignorant of the need to seek for immediate treatment following animal bites. Thirdly, poor traditional/cultural practices following bites from infected animals. Fourthly, socioeconomic factors and finally, poor use of preventive measures against rabies. Conclusion Based on the findings, it is concluded that most of the factors predisposing to rabies infection in south Asia are preventable, hence; Government authorities, non-governmental organizations and philanthropists should be more committed toward increasing awareness about the consequences of the infection as well as providing free and accessible treatments across each country. Keywords: risk, factors, rabies, Bangladesh, India, Pakista

Seismic behavior of triple tunnel complex in soft soil subjected to transverse shaking

Combining multiple tunnels into a single tunnel complex while keeping the surrounding area compact is a complicated procedure. The condition becomes more complex when soft soil is present and the area is prone to seismic activity. Seismic vibrations produce sudden ground shaking, which causes a sharp decrease in the shear strength and bearing capacity of the soil. This results in larger ground displacements and deformation of structures located at the surface and within the soil mass. The deformations are more pronounced at shallower depths and near the ground surface. Tunnels located in that area are also affected and can undergo excessive distortions and uplift. The condition becomes worse if the tunnel area is larger, and, thus, the respective tunnel complex needs to be properly evaluated. In this research, a novel triple tunnel complex formed by combining three closely spaced tunnels is numerically analyzed using Plaxis 2D software under variable dynamic loadings. The effect of variations in lining thickness, the inner supporting structure, embedment depth on the produced ground displacements, tunnel deformations, resisting bending moments, and the developed thrusts are studied in detail. The triple tunnel complex is also compared with the rectangular and equivalent horizontal twin tunnel complexes in terms of generated thrusts and resisted seismic-induced bending moments. From the results, it is concluded that increased thickness of the lining, inner structure, and greater embedment depth results in decreased ground displacements, tunnel deformations, and increased resistance to seismic-induced bending moments. The comparison of shapes revealed that the triple tunnel complex has better resistance against moments with the least amount of thrust and surface heave produced

MACRO AND SOCIOECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF SAVINGS IN PAKISTAN

Due to close relationship of savings to economic growth,poverty, income inequality the analysis of the savings behaviorbecomes very important in development economics. The present studyhas analyzed the saving behavior of Pakistan for the period 1973-2013. It has been found that age dependency, foreign savings andinflation have a negative and significant relationships with all thethree type of savings (i.e. national, public and private), while economicgrowth and financial sector development enhances savings inPakistan. The study finds that interest rate has an insignificant impacton nationals and private savings. However, in the case of publicsavings the impact is positive and significant. As far as the role oftaxes is concerned, it has been found that taxes discourage privatesavings while the impact on public savings is positive

USE OF DIAGRAMS AS INSTRUCTIONAL AIDS IN TEACHING OF GEOMETRICAL CONCEPTS AT SECONDARY SCHOOL LEVEL

Angle is a complex topic defined in a variety of contexts; some define angle to be as a pair of rays coming from a single point, as a rotation about a single point, or in a curve. Due to the multiple definitions of angle students get confused as to what an angle truly consists of. This study paid close attention to the misconceptions high school geometry students’ hold about the concept of angle and how to help them gain a more conceptual understanding of this essential concept with the use of different Diagrams. The main idea behind the conduction of this study is to investigate the effect of use of diagrams as instructional aids on the conceptual understanding of angles. The study hypothesizes that angle can be learned using interactive Diagrams. The results of this study showed that diagrams which based on different A.V aids was shown to be more beneficial for the students who used to clear the concept of angles

Self-Enabling Vehicular Agent using Cloud and Massive Data

Since last some decades, the autonomous technology in the vehicles was used to help the drivers to voyage effortlessly along the highways and to avoid road accidents. In this duration, a number of high-end vehicles was built-in electronic secureness mechanism, adaptive voyage mechanism, lane departure warnings and city safety system. Approximately, 95% of the road accidents were caused by the wrong behavior, careless, focus less and tiredness of the drivers. Even with the attractiveness of recent traffic control applications, a lack of dynamic information about roads and weather conditions was more than an infuriation. For this purpose, we developed a self-enabling vehicular agent in which cloud and Massive data is used. The cloud and massive data enabled the agent to see around corners or even miles down the road and to drive itself more carefully. The parameters enabled the agent to keep the driver informed on the road conditions ahead. The vehicular agent would be enable to process the appropriate data from this massive data, send it via cloud to forecasts of the traffic situation, the road conditions, the cars are ahead of it and the weather in the real time

The Cytokinin-Activating LOG-Family Proteins Are Not Lysine Decarboxylases

© 2018 Elsevier Ltd A conserved PGGxGTxxE motif misleads the cytokinin (CK) converting LONELY GUY enzymes to be wrongly annotated as lysine decarboxylases (LDCs). However, so far PGGxGTxxE motif-containing LDCs do not show any LDC activity. Instead, they show phosphoribohydrolase activity by converting inactive CK nucleotides into active free-base forms to invoke CK responses

Doing Taxes Better: Simplify, Open and Grow Economy

Taxes have been the cornerstone of IMF-led adjustment programs for Pakistan for over four decades. During this period, long term growth and productivity have declined while the tax policy has become more contentious and fragmented. Measures multiply as unrealistic targets are chased with mini budgets every quarter. The following arose from a high-level conference arranged by PIDE to outline future directions in tax policy