Image registration under conformal diffeomorphisms : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Image registration is the process of finding an alignment between two or more images so that their appearance matches. It has been widely studied and applied to several fields, including medical imaging and biology (where it is related to morphometrics). In biology, one motivation for image registration comes from the work of Sir D'Arcy Thompson. In his book On Growth and Form he presented several examples where a grid superimposed onto a two-dimensional image of one species was smoothly deformed to suggest a transformation to an image of another species. His examples include relationships between species of fish and comparison of human skulls with higher apes. One of Thompson's points was that these deformations should be as `simple' as possible. In several of his examples, he uses what he calls an isogonal transformation, which would now be called conformal, i.e., angle-preserving. His claims of conformally-related change between species were investigated further by Petukhov, who used Thompson's grid method as well as computing the cross-ratio (which is an invariant of the Möbius group, a finite-dimensional subgroup of the group of conformal diffeomorphisms) to check whether sets of points in the images could be related by a Möbius transformation. His results suggest that there are examples of growth and evolution where a Möbius transformation cannot be ruled out. In this thesis, we investigate whether or not this is true by using image registration, rather than a point-based invariant: we develop algorithms to construct conformal transformations between images, and use them to register images by minimising the sum-of-squares distance between the pixel intensities. In this way we can see how close to conformal the image relationships are. We develop and present two algorithms for constructing the conformal transformation, one based on constrained optimisation of a set of control points, and one based on gradient flow. For the first method we consider a set of different penalty terms that aim to enforce conformality, based either on discretisations of the Cauchy-Riemann equations, or geometric principles, while in the second the conformal transformation is represented as a discrete Taylor series. The algorithms are tested on a variety of datasets, including synthetic data (i.e., the target is generated from the source using a known conformal transformation; the easiest possible case), and real images, including some that are not actually conformally related. The two methods are compared on a set of images that include Thompson's fish example, and a small dataset demonstrating the growth of a human skull. The conformal growth model does appear to be validated for the skulls, but interestingly, not for Thompson's fish

Resource Management in Container-based Mobile Edge Computing

Mobile edge computing is a promising technology which provides support to time-sensitive applications by pushing centralized cloud processing capabilities to distributed Fog nodes. These fog nodes are deployed at one-hop distance from end-user and provide real-time data processing capabilities at the edge of network. Due to service provisioning at the edge of network, no congestion occurs at the core of network, quality of service (QoS) is improved and the overall network operational cost is significantly reduced. However, these nodes have limited capabilities such as processing, storage and coverage so, they face challenge of mobility support for a mobile user when continued service (i.e. zero downtime) is required during handovers between edge nodes. Furthermore, they also need an effective task allocation and resource management strategy to ensure smooth operation of edge services. Unlike traditional VM based environment in Fog Computing, this work explores lightweight Docker containers to deploy and migrate services. In this work, an interactive event-driven dashboard is developed for real-time edge node registration, system monitoring, service initiation and migration. Then, motivated by Fog Following Me, a couple of resource allocation schemes (i.e. algorithm-I & II) have been introduced to dynamically manage the compute resources among fog nodes. For smooth service operation and stable migration, an application profiling feature has been introduced which assigns the needed quota for an application requirement in terms of CPU, GPU and RAM. The developed system's performance is evaluated by conducting various experiments. The experimental results clearly demonstrate and verify the working feasibility of the whole system's operation in context of edge computing. However, the observed processing delays during service migration marks the limitation of Docker and suggest the need to use latest optimization tools to cut down the network delays and ensure zero-downtime service migration

Organisational reward strategies and performance of front line managers: analysis of Pakistani textile industry

A thesis submitted to the University of Bedfordshire, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of PhilosophyThe current study seeks to contribute specifically to the literature on reward management and managerial performance. In doing so, it aims to address certain gaps in the existing literature; particularly a noticeable lack of research in rewards and individual performance relationships in a developing country, Pakistan. This study has sought to examine the relationship of extrinsic rewards comprising of pay, bonuses, opportunities for promotion and intrinsic rewards such as sense of recognition, job characteristics with individual performance measured as task and contextual performance including citizenship behaviour. Furthermore, the study has sought to examine the mediation role of organisational justice elements such as procedural and distributive justice in reward performance relationships. The study aims at identifying different rewards being offered in textile organisations and their relationships with performance of front line managers in textile sector organisations. The study focuses primarily on key research questions: 1. What is the relationship between extrinsic rewards such as pay and bonus based incentives with the performance of front line managers? 2. How do opportunities for promotion relate with performance of front line managers in textile industry? 3. What is the relationship of intrinsic rewards such as sense of recognition and job characteristics with the performance of front line managers? 4. How does procedural and distributive justice influence the reward performance relationships for front line managers in textile industry? Being deductive in nature, the current study revolves around the premises of positivist philosophy. Being cross section in nature, a survey based design is selected and a quantitative strategy is used in this study for data collection and analysis. The study is facilitated by random stratified sampling for data collection and structural equation modelling technique to draw results of direct and mediation effects of study constructs. The results portray significant relationships of rewards and individual performance with relatively strong emphasis on task performance in comparison to contextual performance. The results further highlight the mediation of procedural and distributive justice particularly in extrinsic rewards and task performance relationships for front line managers. The study seeks to contribute to existing theoretical knowledge and practices in developing economies and is pioneering in its examination of rewards-individual performance relationships in Pakistan. In examining organisational rewards with task and contextual performance for front line managers in private manufacturing sector, the study tends to address the gap in existing literature on reward and performance management. Moreover, the current study further seeks to examine the mediation effects of procedural and distributive justice in reward performance relationships discovering this field of theoretical knowledge as existing literature does not reflect upon this gap. The study intends to offer help and support to concerned stakeholders in better understanding, developing and modifying rewards-performance relationships particularly for textile industry in Pakistan

A link between internet addiction and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in Pakistani undergraduates

The current research aims to establish a link between internet addiction and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Symptoms among Pakistani Undergraduates. The sample comprised of (N =1020) undergraduates from Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan (BZU) and The Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB), Pakistan, including 255 male and 255 female from each university. A-Priori sample size was estimated with 974 participants, to consider sample size sufficiency, twenty three respondents were taken additionally from each university. There were two questionnaires employed; Chen Internet Addiction Scale by © Ko et al. (2005), and ADHD Adult Self Reporting Scale (ASRS) by © Kessler et al. (2005). Cross-sectional survey research design was used. Data were collected through purposive sampling and analyzed by use of SPSS (21.0). Regression, t-Test, mean, and standard deviation were employed. The result depicts; overall 28% students fulfill the criteria of internet addiction, and comparatively BZU students have higher prevalence of internet addiction with ADHD symptoms as compared to IUB. Likewise, male students are found more vulnerable towards ADHD symptoms and internet addiction as compared to female students. Study proved the significant relation of internet addiction with ADHD symptoms (0.082*). Finally, implications, significance of the study, and limitation are enclosed

An Empirical Study of Relationship between Compensation, Working Environment and Motivation of Employees in Banking Sector of Pakistan

This study scrutinizes the relationship of the compensation and the working environment to the motivation of employees in banking sector of Pakistan. Based upon the working environment and compensation it was empirically analyzed that, these two factors have significant and positive relationship with the motivation of banking sector employees. Consequently motivation increases through good working environment and the satisfactory compensation structure. A well structured questionnaire has been used as a tool for data collection. The primary data has been taken from 150 respondents to explore the relationship among variable. Results, conclusion, recommendations, limitations and future research directions have mentioned for future practitioners. Keywords: Compensation; Working Environment; Motivation; Banking sector, Pakistan

Role of Gender Asset Ownership and Poverty in Determining Women Empowerment: A Village-based Study in South Punjab, Pakistan

This study investigates the determinants of women's empowerment in the agriculture sector of South Punjab, Pakistan, using a cross-sectional analysis. Specifically, the study aims to identify the socio-demographic and economic factors that promote or hinder women's empowerment in this sector, to inform policies and programs that can support gender equality in the region. To estimate the results, we are utilizing data from 900 households located in the Multan, Bahawalpur, and DG Khan divisions of South Punjab Province in Pakistan in 2022 while employing the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method for analysis. The study also explored the impact of empowerment on women's socio-demographics, economic status, and well-being. The study found that women's empowerment in South Punjab is influenced by a range of factors, including age, marital status, education, income, poverty, and asset ownership prevalence. The study focuses on improving women's education, income, and access to credit, as these factors are found to positively impact women's empowerment in the agriculture sector of South Punjab, Pakistan. Additionally, policies that promote women's participation in decision-making at the household and community levels can contribute to greater gender equality in the region

Effects of Waste Glass Powder on the Geotechnical Properties of Loose Subsoils

Foundation soils are most affected by different problems when it comes to the loose soil having low shear strength and bearing capacity. Failure of the soil with settlement and shear arises when the shear stresses in the soil exceed the limit. This study is keen to observe the effects of utilization of waste broken glass in the enhancement of Geotechnical properties of soil by performing different laboratory tests. Collection of the soil sample from was concluded from Pabbi, Peshawar, KPK, and Pakistan, which is a low strength soil, are also being called soft soil having low bearing capacity. Furthermore, this particular soil was needed to be enhanced. The physical, chemical and engineering properties of virgin soil were contemplated and the soil was treated with added substances of Glass Powder to stabilize the local soil. Addition of Glass Powder was finished in different proportions that are 4%, 8% and 12% etc. Performance of different tests as Gradation, Specific Gravity, Standard Proctor compaction, Atterberg Limits, Direct Shear, CBR and so forth were done. The results were concluded, based on the Glass Dust stabilization analysis. It was obtained that pulverized glass can be effectively used as a soil stabilizer as mainly the strength characteristics were observed to be valeted. The Results showed that the gradation of soil is narrow from the particle size analysis. Plasticity index (P.I), Liquid limit (L.L) and plastic limit (P.L) were decreased with the addition of Glass powder. The reason behind decreasing P.I is maybe the fact that the Glass powder is cohesionless. Ideal percentage of Glass Powder as a stabilizer is 8%. Such improvements included an achievement of the highest CBR obtained at the 4%, 8% and 12% of powdered glass content. The reason is that the glass is pozzolanic material when blended with soil gives additional strength. The achievement of the increasing rate of the values of angle of internal friction on 4% and 8% and decreasing rate of values obtained at 12% powdered glass substances. Cohesion rate decreases up to 8% and starts increasing at 12%. Maximum dry density increasing as the density of glass is higher than such soil and Optimum moisture content (OMC) is decreasing because of low absorption capacity of glass. The study showed that the best stabilizer for the case study (Pabbi, Peshawar) is the Glass Powder and the optimum dose is 8 %

Measuring Total Factor Productivity and Finding the Determinants of Total Factor Productivity at Sectoral Level: A Case Study of Pakistan

The current study has attempted to measure the total factor productivity at sectoral level. For this, the stock of capital series which was constructed by Kemal and Ahmad (1992) has been extended till 2013. The Solow residual has been calculated through growth accounting framework. The sectoral TFP is tested against the macroeconomic variables, such as human capital, openness of the economy, transfer of technology, financial development and development expenditure by the government. Using the ARDL methodology, it has been found that agriculture sector has the potential to grow provided there is investment in human capital and the agriculturists do acquire appropriate technology. The manufacturing sector TFP growth, on the other hand, not only requires further investment in human capital, it also requires diversification of the economy and its opening up to international trade transactions, financial development of the economy, and the use of technological advances in the field. The study also supports the Keynesian argument that government development expenditure is growth promoting. JCL Classification: O15, O33, O47 Keywords: Production Function, Total Factor Productivity, Growth Accounting Framework, Auto Regressive Distributed Lag Model and Error Correction Mode

A Comparison of MLIS Curricula Taught in Pakistani Library and Information Science Schools with Higher Education Commission Curriculum

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare Pakistani LIS schools curricula with Higher Education Commission designed curriculum for LIS schools in Pakistan. The paper identified the most common course titles and the most unique course titles taught in Pakistani LIS schools. Design/methodology/approach – The author requested to the responsible focal persons of the LIS schools in Pakistan through personal phone calls and emails and collects the data through email and personal visits of LIS schools. Findings–The paper finds gaps of LIS schools curricula’s, most common course titles and the most unique titles. Practical implications–The paper helps in the design of LIS schools curricula according to the market needs. It also enables the higher authorities to know their LIS schools status on the world level. It helps in the LIS schools accreditation at International level. Originality/value – The study shows level of LIS schools with the help of course titles they offered. It is the first comprehensive study and based on pure research. Keywords – Curriculum, LIS Schools Curricula, LIS Education in Pakistan, Development of Education, Uniformity of LIS Education Paper type – Research pape