Seizure detection from EEG signals using Multivariate Empirical Mode Decomposition

We present a data driven approach to classify ictal (epileptic seizure) and non-ictal EEG signals using the multivariate empirical mode decomposition (MEMD) algorithm. MEMD is a multivariate extension of empirical mode decomposition (EMD), which is an established method to perform the decomposition and time-frequency (T−F) analysis of non-stationary data sets. We select suitable feature sets based on the multiscale T−F representation of the EEG data via MEMD for the classification purposes. The classification is achieved using the artificial neural networks. The efficacy of the proposed method is verified on extensive publicly available EEG datasets

Assessment of Available Manganese in Milk by Using fodders Grown in Long-Term Wastewater Irrigated Soil

Heavy metals are considered as most important contaminations due to industrialization of countries and an influence on its existence in soil, plant and milk. A study was carried out to check manganese content in soil, forage and milk at three sites of city Jhang, Punjab, Pakistan. All samples (milk, soil, water, fodder plants and ground water) were analyzed for manganese by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Different health indices were also studied to check Mn flow in food chain. Level of Mn in samples was found within acceptable limits. Manganese level was higher in soil samples collected from Site-III than other sites. Manganese showed higher value (2.595 to 10.402 mg/kg) in soil than other samples. Fodders were found to accumulate manganese from 0.008 to 0.022 mg/kg. Manganese concentration was found to be 0.1482 to 1.241 mg/L, 0.164 to 0.9708 mg/L in water and milk, respectively. BCF and PLI values for manganese were also found to be less than 1. Estimated daily intake (EDI) and THQ of manganese are found within permissible limits in milk of cows feeding on fodders irrigated with wastewater and ground water. So, use of wastewater for irrigation purpose should be properly checked due to possible toxic effects

Zia’s Presidential Powers Under Eighth Amendment and Its Governance Regarding Security of Shia Masses

The paper represents analytical dependences of the precipitation process on the kinematically possible flow velocities that satisfy the boundary conditions and the condition of volume constanc

Devolution of Power Plan in Pakistan by General Musharraf

 Pakistan is a democratic country but since its inception, it has deprived political background particularly in local self-Government. Pakistan’s history shows us that inconsistent civilian rules hindered the process of a viable democratic culture across all level. Time and again military engulfed the civilian political romance. Each military generals introduced the local self-government , General Ayyub introduced Basic democratic system in his regime, General Zia also introduced local government, their main aim was only to legitimize their own powers. But in last military coup by General Musharraf on 1999, the decentralization reforms in Pakistan can be see

Islamic Microfinance and Women Entrepreneurship Performance during COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose: In the contemporary era, women are playing a vital role in changing the global economy as entrepreneurs, workers, and consumers, yet they encounter many problems and obstacles in the development of entrepreneurship. This study aim is to investigate the impact of Islamic microfinance on women entrepreneurship performance: mediating role of social capital and moderating role of opportunity for social interaction in South Punjab, Pakistan. Design/Methodology/Approach:  Data were collected from 183 women entrepreneurs, who were using Islamic microfinance, through the convenience sampling technique. Convenient sampling technique was used to collect the information. PLS-SEM was employed to statistically test the data. Findings: This study results indicate that microfinance had a negative relationship with women's entrepreneurship performance. However, when Islamic microfinance led to the formation of social capital among women that eventually caused the women entrepreneurship performance. Moreover, the extent to which microfinance provisions affected the social capital of clients was dependent upon the microfinance providers facilitated social interaction among clients. . Implications/Originality/Value: This paper will give benefit to academics in preparing a plan for future research. Moreover, findings will also assist policymakers and IMFIs to set out microfinance initiatives that will improve the betterment of clients and will maximize their enterprising results

Corporate Social Responsibility Moderates the Relationship of Corporate Governance and Investment Decisions: New Insight from Emerging Markets

Purpose: This paper examines the relationship between Corporate Governance, Corporate Investment, and Financial Performance of firms with moderating relationship of Corporate Social Responsibility in emerging markets of Asia (Pakistan, China, Malaysia, and India).   Design/Methodology/Approach: To examine the impact, the panel data of 214 non-financial listed firms from 2014–to 2019 was collected. Findings: We documented a new insight that CSR and CG are significantly associated with CI and FP. Results also show that the quality of CG and CSR enriches the CI decisions that improved FP. Findings also show that CSR moderates the relationship between CG and CI decisions, and between CG and firms’ FP. The board directors and ownership concentration have a positive relationship with CI decisions and FP. Overall CSR moderates the relationship between CI and CP.   Implications/Originality/Value: These findings are beneficial to the management of corporations working in emerging markets to improve CSR activities.  This research also contributes to existing literature, on how CSR moderates the relationship between CG and CI decisions in the given contexts. &nbsp

Enhancing Structural and Thermal Properties of Poly(lactic acid) Using Graphene Oxide Filler and Anionic Surfactant Treatment

Graphene has attracted extensive attention in various fields due to its intriguing properties. In this work, nanocomposite films based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA and PLLA) polymers filled with graphene oxide (GO) were developed. The impact of treating GO with the anionic surfactant dioctyl sulfosuccinate sodium salt (AOT) on the properties of the resulting nanocomposites was investigated. To determine the morphological, optical, and structural properties of the obtained materials, physicochemical analyses were performed, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Additionally, the thermal properties and wettability of neat polymers and nanocomposites were thoroughly investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and contact angle analysis. It was observed that GO was well dispersed throughout the PLA and PLLA matrix, leading to stronger interface bonding. The results demonstrate that the untreated and treated GO improved the crystallinity and thermal stability properties of the PLA and PLLA. However, the AOT-treated GO has significantly higher performance compared to the untreated GO in terms of crystallinity, melting temperature (increased by ~15 °C), and wettability (the contact angle decreased by ~30°). These findings reveal the high performance of the developed novel composite, which could be applied in tissue engineering as a scaffold