Information extraction from semi and unstructured data sources: a systematic literature review

Millions of structured, semi structured and unstructured documents have been produced around the globe on a daily basis. Sources of such documents are individuals as well as several research societies like IEEE, Elsevier, Springer and Wiley that we use to publish the scientific documents enormously. These documents are a huge resource of scientific knowledge for research communities and interested users around the world. However, due to their massive volume and varying document formats, search engines are facing problems in indexing such documents, thus making retrieval of information inefficient, tedious and time consuming. Information extraction from such documents is among the hottest areas of research in data/text mining. As the number of such documents is increasing tremendously, more sophisticated information extraction techniques are necessary. This research focuses on reviewing and summarizing existing state-of-theart techniques in information extraction to highlight their limitations. Consequently, the research gap is formulated for the researchers in information extraction domain

Toxicities, kinetics and degradation pathways investigation of ciprofloxacin degradation using iron-mediated H\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3eO\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e based advanced oxidation processes

© 2018 Institution of Chemical Engineers Ciprofloxacin (CIP) is a widespread emerging water pollutant and thus its removal from aquatic environment is vital. The use of Fe3+/H2O2 and Fe2+/H2O2 resulted in 38 and 64% removal of CIP (8.0 ppm), respectively, within 80 min reaction time (pH 5.8, [H2O2]0 = 80 ppm, and [iron]0 = 20 ppm). Low pH, high temperature, high dose of H2O2 and Fe2+, and low CIP concentration facilitated removal of CIP. The radical scavenger studies proved in situ generated [rad]OH to be involved primarily in the removal of CIP. The effect of temperature was used to estimate enthalpy and activation energies of the removal of CIP. At 800 min reaction time, the Fe2+/H2O2 resulted in 54% mineralization of CIP using 16.0 ppm [CIP]0, 320.0 ppm [H2O2]0, and 40.0 ppm [Fe2+]0. The potential degradation pathways of CIP established from the degradation of CIP by [rad]OH and products evolved was found to be initiated at C6 through the loss of fluoride ion. The acute and chronic toxicities of CIP and its degradation products were estimated with the final product found to be non-toxic. The results suggest that Fe2+/H2O2-mediated AOPs have high potential for degradation as well as toxicity elimination of CIP and its degradation products

Determinants of Competitiveness of Business Schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Faculty’s Perspective

Purpose- The present study was an attempt to enhance the understanding on the competitiveness of business schools (Bschools) and identify the most influential    determinants that affect competitiveness of Bschools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from faculty’s perspective. Methodology- The current study followed the quantitative approach. The sample size was 261 determined by formula of Yamane (1967) and respondents were selected using stratified probability sampling technique. Data was collected through questionnaire using 5-point Likert scale. Principal Component Analysis was applied to assess unifactoriality of the constructs. Hypothesis of study assuming relationship between independent and dependent variables were tested using SEM. Findings- Findings of the study suggests that Teaching staff, Employment prospects, Gender diversity, Leadership and management significantly and positively affect the Competitiveness of Bschools (P< 0.05). On other hand, Industry and Internationalization aspects were found to have significant negative effect on competitiveness of Bschools (P<0.05). Originality/Value- The present study can help the management of business schools to focus on the areas that can increase the competitiveness of business school to meet the challenges of globalization. Moreover, competitiveness was measured using satisfaction and reputation and the empirical testing of effect of determinants on competitiveness of business schools are the theoretical contributions of the study. &nbsp

Effect of People, Process and Physical Evidence on Satisfaction of Sikh Pilgrims Visiting Pakistan: Moderating Role of Personal Perceived Risk of Terrorism

The present study was intended to find out the impact of three important components of marketing mix for tourism i.e. People, Process and Physical Evidence on Satisfaction of Sikh Pilgrims visiting Pakistan and the moderating role of Personal Perceived Risk of Terrorism in the relationship between the aforementioned independent variables and Pilgrims Satisfaction. The present research is based on the philosophy of positivism and it is descriptive and deductive in approach. Data was collected from a sample of 357 Sikh Pilgrims. Multiple linear regression analysis was carried out to test the hypothesized effect of People, Process and Physical Evidence on satisfaction of Sikh Pilgrims and the moderating effect of Personal Perceived Risk of Terrorism. Findings of the study showed that Physical Evidence and People have a significant positive effect whereas Process has a significant negative effect on satisfaction of Sikh Pilgrims. Personal Perceived Risk of Terrorism was found to have an insignificant moderating effect on the relationship of Process, People and Physical Evidence with Satisfaction. The study might help uplift the tourism sector of Pakistan and enhance the relationship between people of different religions of the region

Health care associated Clostridioidesdifficile infection and colonization in patients admitted at tertiary care hospital Pakistan

Objective: To evaluate the epidemiology of clostridioides difficile infections and colonisation in a tertiary-care setting. Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from June 1, 2017, to October 31, 2019, and comprised adult patients admitted in high-risk units of the hospital for any disease experiencing watery stools after 48 hours of hospital admission and passing more than 3 stools per day with no other recognised aetiology. Stool samples of the participants, diagnosed with antibiotic associated diarrhoea, were submitted forglutamate dehydrogenase antigen assay and clostridioides toxin A/B assay detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and clostridioides difficile toxin gene detection by polymerase chain reaction. Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea was diagnosed by a positive toxin assay or polymerase chain reaction. Data was analysed using SPSS25. Results: Of the 715 subjects, 322(45%) were males and 393(55%) were females. The overall mean age was 56.64±8.57 years, and 488(68.3%) were aged 60 years. The incidence of clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhoea was found in 10(1.4%) patients and was highest in oncology unit 3(4.3%). No positive case was detected from the high dependency unit and the surgical ward. All the10(1.4%) positive cases were on >2 antibiotics with a combination of oral vancomycin and intravenous metronidazole. Mortality rate was significantly higher in the positive cases compared to those with clostridioides difficile colonisation (p<0.05). Conclusion: The incidence of clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhoea was found to be low. Continues..

Meet Your Digital Twin in Space? Profiling International Expat’s Readiness for Metaverse Space Travel, Tech-Savviness, COVID-19 Travel Anxiety, and Travel Fear of Missing Out

The metaverse promises an unimaginable future for digital travelers by enabling them to gain unique experiences (e.g., space travel) that would otherwise be impossible in non-virtual reality. Moreover, COVID-19 travel anxiety has triggered growing interest in virtual environments (e.g., metaverse travel) in the aftermath of the pandemic. The cost-conscious and tech-savvy behavior of travelers has been resurrected in the ‘new normal’; however, the fear of missing out (FOMO) is now dictating travelers’ choices for newness, immersive and rewarding travel experiences. To address these emerging trends, promising new technologies, and untested relationships, the present study explored the effects of COVID-19 travel anxiety on the readiness for metaverse space travel. In addition, the moderating influence of tech savviness and travel FOMO was tested on this relationship. Drawing on data of international expats (N = 386) in UAE, the finding based on structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that the international expat’s readiness for metaverse space travel is positively influenced by their COVID-19 travel anxiety. Moreover, expats with high tendencies of travel FOMO and tech savviness will experience a stronger impact of COVID-19 travel anxiety on their readiness for metaverse space travel. These novel findings guided by prominent theories (e.g., self-determination, SOR, and protection motivation) offer new insights for policy makers and practitioners to strategically achieve digital-tourism transformation and sustainability through emerging and immersive metaverse technologies

Meet Your Digital Twin in Space? Profiling International Expat&rsquo;s Readiness for Metaverse Space Travel, Tech-Savviness, COVID-19 Travel Anxiety, and Travel Fear of Missing Out

The metaverse promises an unimaginable future for digital travelers by enabling them to gain unique experiences (e.g., space travel) that would otherwise be impossible in non-virtual reality. Moreover, COVID-19 travel anxiety has triggered growing interest in virtual environments (e.g., metaverse travel) in the aftermath of the pandemic. The cost-conscious and tech-savvy behavior of travelers has been resurrected in the &lsquo;new normal&rsquo;; however, the fear of missing out (FOMO) is now dictating travelers&rsquo; choices for newness, immersive and rewarding travel experiences. To address these emerging trends, promising new technologies, and untested relationships, the present study explored the effects of COVID-19 travel anxiety on the readiness for metaverse space travel. In addition, the moderating influence of tech savviness and travel FOMO was tested on this relationship. Drawing on data of international expats (N = 386) in UAE, the finding based on structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that the international expat&rsquo;s readiness for metaverse space travel is positively influenced by their COVID-19 travel anxiety. Moreover, expats with high tendencies of travel FOMO and tech savviness will experience a stronger impact of COVID-19 travel anxiety on their readiness for metaverse space travel. These novel findings guided by prominent theories (e.g., self-determination, SOR, and protection motivation) offer new insights for policy makers and practitioners to strategically achieve digital-tourism transformation and sustainability through emerging and immersive metaverse technologies

Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and genotypic characterization of quinolone and ceftriaxone resistant genes among Salmonella typhi from various regions of Pakistan

Objective: To determine the current antibiotic resistance patterns and identification of quinolone and ceftriaxone resistant genes among Salmonella enterica subspecies serovar Typhi. Method: The prospective study was conducted from September 2018 to March 2019 and comprised samples collected from major hospitals and laboratories in Karachi, Quetta, Lahore, Kharia, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Peshawar after approval from the institutional ethics review board of Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan. Antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates collected from the health facilities was checked using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method in line with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines at the Department of Microbiology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), Rawalpindi, Pakistan. All isolates were subjected for identification of genes responsible for quinolone and ceftriaxone resistance using polymerase chain reaction followed by gel-electrophoresis. Results: Among the 96 isolates, phenotypically, ceftriaxone was found resistant in 31(32.29%) and ciprofloxacin in 95(99%). Genotypically, blaCTX-M-15 (beta lactamase, CTX as its acronym, -M from Munich) gene for ceftriaxone resistance was found in all phenotypically resistant 31(32.29%) isolates, while QnrS (Quinolone resistance, S group), GyrA (DNA gyrase subunit A), and GyrB (DNA gyrase subunit B) genes responsible for ciprofloxacin resistance were found in different frequencies (percentages given in table 2). Conclusion: The spread of extensively drug-resistant Salmonella enterica subspecies serovar Typhi strain to many big cities calls for urgent preventive measures. Key Words: XDR S. typhi in Pakistan, AMR, Resistance pattern of S. Typhi, Ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin resistant genes