Galaxy-Targeting Approach Optimized for Finding the Radio Afterglows of Gravitational Wave Sources

Kilonovae and radio afterglows of neutron star merger events have been identified as the two most promising counterparts, of these gravitational wave sources, that can provide arcsecond localization. While several new and existing optical search facilities have been dedicated to finding kilonovae, factors such as dust obscuration and the daytime sky may thwart these searches in a significant fraction of gavitational wave events. Radio-only searches, being almost immune to these factors, are equally capable of finding the counterparts and in fact offer a complementary discovery approach, despite the modest fields of view for many of the present-day radio interferometers. Such interferometers will be able to carry out competitive searches for the electromagnetic counterparts through the galaxy targeting approach. Adapting and improving on an existing algorithm by Rana et al. 2017. we present here a method that optimizes the placement of radio antenna pointings, integration time, and antenna slew. We simulate 3D gravitational wave localizations to find the efficacy of our algorithm; with substantial improvements in slew overhead and containment probability coverage, our algorithm performs significantly better than simple galaxy-rank-ordered observations. We propose that telescopes such as the Very Large Array, MeerKAT, Australia Telescope Compact Array and the Gaint Meterwave Radio Telescope, having fields of view $\lesssim$1 deg$^2$ and searching for the counterparts of nearby GW events over tens of square degrees or larger, will especially benefit from this optimized galaxy-targeting approach for electromagnetic counterpart searches.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures, Submitted to Ap

An optimal method for scheduling observations of large sky error regions for finding optical counterparts to transients

The discovery and subsequent study of optical counterparts to transient sources is crucial for their complete astrophysical understanding. Various gamma ray burst (GRB) detectors, and more notably the ground--based gravitational wave detectors, typically have large uncertainties in the sky positions of detected sources. Searching these large sky regions spanning hundreds of square degrees is a formidable challenge for most ground--based optical telescopes, which can usually image less than tens of square degrees of the sky in a single night. We present algorithms for optimal scheduling of such follow--up observations in order to maximize the probability of imaging the optical counterpart, based on the all--sky probability distribution of the source position. We incorporate realistic observing constraints like the diurnal cycle, telescope pointing limitations, available observing time, and the rising/setting of the target at the observatory location. We use simulations to demonstrate that our proposed algorithms outperform the default greedy observing schedule used by many observatories. Our algorithms are applicable for follow--up of other transient sources with large positional uncertainties, like Fermi--detected GRBs, and can easily be adapted for scheduling radio or space--based X--ray followup.Comment: Submitted to ApJ. 18 pages, 15 figure

Inquiry into Gendered Teacher-Student Classroom Interactions

teacher–student interactions in the classroom. Moreover, the differencesin frequency of interaction, differences in types of teacher initiatives andresponses towards boys and girls in the classroom were also identified.Total 36 lessons were observed in grade 8th classroom in a local school inGujranwala. Each class lesson was observed for 30 minutes.Observations were coded using the Interactions for Sex Equity inClassroom Teaching (INTERSECT) observational research tool. Thestudy found that boys received more praise from female teachers thanmale teachers. Moreover, both male and female teachers criticize boysmore while male teachers tend to interact more with girls than boys. Thispaper provides guide lines to the curriculum planners to recommendgender neutral teaching techniques for the male and female teachers to bepracticed in mixed gender (coed) classes

Political Instability and Lessons for Pakistan: Case Study of 2014 PTI Sit in/Protests

Abstract. It’s a short allegory to present the case for the importance of Political stability in the economic progress of a country. The Arab spring protests were seen as strengthening democracy in the Arab world. Notwithstanding the surprise Arab spring brought in shape of further destabilizing Middle East, a similar environment of unrest and protests in a practicing democracy like Pakistan capture same dynamics of uncertainty that dampen economic destabilization. The paper briefly covers PTI’s sit in protests in year 2014 to make a case for how political instability stifled economic progress in Pakistan though momentarily.Keywords. Political economy, Pakistan economy.JEL. D72, F59, P16

Recruitment Methods Used by Software Industry in Pakistan: Issues and Concerns

The research aims to examine the relationship between the organization size and the recruitment methods used. It also examines the differences in recruitment methods for filling the managerial and non managerial positions and exploring possible reasons for switching between these methods among IT organizations. We found that there is a significant relationship between the organization size and the frequency of recruitment. The smaller organizations tend to recruit more frequently as compared to larger organizations. The results also show that there is significant positive relationship between the size of organization and the choice of methods for recruitment of professionals. Most software houses find it difficult to recruit individuals with adequate professional training, skills and experience. Most professionals in the industry are fresh graduates with a sound theoretical base but with inadequate practical experience and skills. Software houses can help in developing these fresh graduates in more mature professionals by offering extensive internship programs

Use of ICT in Collection Management of Public Libraries in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract Objectives of the study: This study is about the assessing of use of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) in Collection Management (CM) of Public Libraries in Punjab (PLsP), Pakistan. Research Design:The study was conducted in seventeen PLsP. Target population was the Head Librarians(HLs) of the selected PLsP. Data regarding current status of ICT apparatus, IT staff, available ICT resources and usage of ICT in CM was collected from the concerned HLs through a comprehensive questionnaire. The questionnaire having mostly closed ended questions was constructed in the light of extensive literature review. The data collected from HLs was analyzed and interpreted manually. Key Findings: Present status of ICT apparatus, IT staff & available ICT resources like internet in PLs was found unsatisfactory and lack of IT professionals & skilled IT staff was note over there. The respondents found convinced about the importance of ICT in CM. Status of usage of ICT in CM was found poor. Absence of required ICT related staff training was also noted. Scarcity of needed funds for ICT and interrupted power supply were found as the pressing issues in PLsP. Practical Implication: PLsP were recommended to develop their ICT apparatus, ensure qualified IT staff, and enrich their available ICT resources to improve their status of usage of ICT in CM. ICT training of staff, availability of needed funds and arrangements for uninterrupted power supply were also recommended

Secure data sharing and analysis in cloud-based energy management systems

Analysing data acquired from one or more buildings (through specialist sensors, energy generation capability such as PV panels or smart meters) via a cloud-based Local Energy Management System (LEMS) is increasingly gaining in popularity. In a LEMS, various smart devices within a building are monitored and/or controlled to either investigate energy usage trends within a building, or to investigate mechanisms to reduce total energy demand. However, whenever we are connecting externally monitored/controlled smart devices there are security and privacy concerns. We describe the architecture and components of a LEMS and provide a survey of security and privacy concerns associated with data acquisition and control within a LEMS. Our scenarios specifically focus on the integration of Electric Vehicles (EV) and Energy Storage Units (ESU) at the building premises, to identify how EVs/ESUs can be used to store energy and reduce the electricity costs of the building. We review security strategies and identify potential security attacks that could be carried out on such a system, while exploring vulnerable points in the system. Additionally, we will systematically categorize each vulnerability and look at potential attacks exploiting that vulnerability for LEMS. Finally, we will evaluate current counter measures used against these attacks and suggest possible mitigation strategies

A cloud-based energy management system for building managers

A Local Energy Management System (LEMS) is described to control Electric Vehicle charging and Energy Storage Units within built environments. To this end, the LEMS predicts the most probable half hours for a triad peak, and forecasts the electricity demand of a building facility at those times. Three operational algorithms were designed, enabling the LEMS to (i) flatten the demand profile of the building facility and reduce its peak, (ii) reduce the demand of the building facility during triad peaks in order to reduce the Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) charges, and (iii) enable the participation of the building manager in the grid balancing services market through demand side response. The LEMS was deployed on over a cloud-based system and demonstrated on a real building facility in Manchester, UK

Does Organizational Support Enhance the Organizational Citizenship Behavior in Service Industry with Moderating Role of Service Climate?

This study shows that the organizational support and altruism play vital role in increasing the organizational citizenship behavior. In the service industry, service climate play moderator role where the individuals of the organization feel the high intensity of obligation to perform their duties. Employees contact directly with their customers and it is necessary for employees to perform the supportive and helping behavior to achieve the effectiveness of organization while delivering services. Results of this study are based on the conceptual theory. It indicates that the organizational support and altruism have positive impact on the citizenship behavior. In other words perceived organizational support and altruism increases the OCB in the moderating effect of service climate. This study also indicates that the intensity of the OCB depends on the service climate if it will be weak the OCB will be low and if it is high the OCB will be high. Its importance has increased in the service industries. Managerial implications are also discussed in this study. Keywords: Organizational support, altruism, organizational citizenship behavior, service climate