Cooperation for Vehicular Delay Tolerant Network

This article reviews the literature related to Vehicular Delay Tolerant Network with focus on Cooperation. It starts by examining definitions of some of the fields of research in VDTN. An overview of VDTN with cooperative networks is presented

A Survey on Cooperation for VDTN

Vehicular Delay-Tolerant Networks (VDTNs) are composed of mobile nodes (vehicles) that communicate with each other wirelessly and using store carry and forward paradigm to forward data despite intermittent connectivity. There are major challenges in establishing effective communications between nodes in Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs). In them the systems are subject to wireless interference and disconnections, thus hindering the availability and reliability of source-destination connections. Another major problem arises when VANETs are sparse, causing excessive retransmissions and delays due to long periods without maintaing connection between pair of vehicles. This article reviews the literature related to Vehicular Delay Tolerant Network with focus on Cooperation. It starts by examining definitions of some of the fields of research in VDTN. An overview of VDTN with cooperative networks is presente

Fintech in Pakistan: a qualitative study of bank’s strategic planning for an investment in fin-tech company and its challenges

The purpose of this study is to explore the strategic considerations in the process of searching for Fin-Tech investment targets and what challenges are faced by banks while its implementation. This study has examined the problems faced by banking sectors in investing in Fin-Tech. This study used a case study methodology of 5 banks in Pakistan on convenience based sampling. The major data sources include the field notes, recording and transcription of interviews collected from branch managers. The results relate to: (1) Fin-Tech in banking sector of Pakistan (2) Banks planning for the adoption of new financial technology, (3) Criteria for selecting Fin-Tech company, (4) Technology as banking career,(5) Barriers in the implementation of Fintech in Pakistan. It is suggested that Pakistan must upgrade its Fin-Tech infrastructure besides doing other things. The government is also needed to concentrate more efforts to overcome these problems

Generation of electrical energy using lead zirconate titanate (PZT-5A) piezoelectric material: Analytical, numerical and experimental verifications

Energy harvesting is the process of attaining energy from the external sources and transforming it into usable electrical energy. An analytical model of piezoelectric energy harvester has been developed to determine the output voltage across an electrical circuit when it is forced to undergo a base excitation. This model gives an easy approach to design and investigate the behavior of piezoelectric material. Numerical simulations have been carried out to determine the effect of frequency and loading on a Lead zirconate titanate (PZT-5A) piezoelectric material. It has been observed that the output voltage from the harvester increases when loading increases whereas its resonance frequency decreases. The analytical results were found to be in good agreement with the experimental and numerical simulation results

Implementation of Lean Practices in Banks: A Qualitative Research

For Pakistani banks to remain competitive in this 21st century, they have to adopt and excel in practices that have brought significant competitive advantages to firms worldwide. Among these practices, lean management has played a significant role. There is a need to develop a systematic approach to access up to what extent firms are adopting lean practices. The objective of this research is to measure the level of adoptions of lean practices in banking sector in Pakistan. Face to face structured interviews were conducted and our findings suggest that banks are not implementing lean practices in true spirit. To implement lean practices holistically, bank employees should understand the philosophy of lean

Static Trade-off theory or Pecking order theory which one suits best to the financial sector. Evidence from Pakistan.

This research is a contribution towards understanding the financial behavior of leasing sector of Pakistan for the period of 2001-2010. It is an attempt to investigate the key factors that influence the capital structure of leasing sector of Pakistan. Financial Leverage is taken as the dependent variable. Whereas, Size of Firm, Capital intensity; Liquidity, Profitability and Tangibility of assets are taken as independent variables. Empirically it has been found that size of assets has a negative and significant impact on leverage. It has also been found that Liquidity, Tangibility, profitability and capital intensity do not significantly influence Leverage. Hence, it is concluded that leasing sector of Pakistan is following Pecking Order Theory in terms of the Size of Firm, Tangibility, liquidity, profitability and capital intensity.   Key words: Leasing, financial sector, Karachi Stock Exchange, Tangibility, Pecking Order Theory, Static Order Theor

Determinants of Financial Self Sufficiency in Microfinance Institutions: A study of Pakistan, India and Bangladesh

This study is an attempt to identify the factors that are affecting the financial self-sufficiency of MFIs in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. Panel data on MFIs of these countries for the year 2011 to 2015 is used. This yielded balanced panel data for thirty-two MFIs, comprising of 161 observations. Our results shows that Size of MFI and Loan Portfolio to total assets has positive impact while Portfolio at Risk, Breadth of outreach, Management inefficiency and operating cost ratio has negative impact on financial self-sufficiency

Determinants of Financial Self Sufficiency in Microfinance Institutions: A study of Pakistan, India and Bangladesh

This study is an attempt to identify the factors that are affecting the financial self-sufficiency of MFIs in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. Panel data on MFIs of these countries for the year 2011 to 2015 is used. This yielded balanced panel data for thirty-two MFIs, comprising of 161 observations. Our results shows that Size of MFI and Loan Portfolio to total assets has positive impact while Portfolio at Risk, Breadth of outreach, Management inefficiency and operating cost ratio has negative impact on financial self-sufficiency

Role of endoscopic ultrasound for pre-intervention evaluation in early esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) stands as an accurate imaging modality for esophageal cancer staging, however utilization of EUS in early-stage cancer management remains controversial. Identification of non-applicability of endoscopic interventions with deep muscular invasion with EUS in pre-intervention evaluation of early-stage esophageal cancer is compared to endoscopic and histologic indicators. AIM: To display the role of EUS in pre-intervention early esophageal cancer staging and how the index endoscopic features of invasive esophageal malignancy compare for prediction of depth of invasion and cancer management. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients who underwent pre-resection EUS after a diagnosis of esophageal cancer at a tertiary medical center from 2012 to 2022. Patient clinical data, initial esophagogastroduodenoscopy/biopsy, EUS, and final resection pathology reports were abstracted, and statistical analysis was conducted to assess the role of EUS in management decisions. RESULTS: Forty nine patients were identified for this study. EUS T stage was concordant with histological T stage in 75.5% of patients. In determining submucosal involvement (T1a vs T1b), EUS had a specificity of 85.0%, sensitivity of 53.9%, and accuracy of 72.7%. Endoscopic features of tumor size > 2 cm and the presence of esophageal ulceration were significantly associated with deep invasion of cancer on histology. EUS affected management from endoscopic mucosal resection/submucosal dissection to esophagectomy in 23.5% of patients without esophageal ulceration and 6.9% of patients with tumor size < 2 cm. In patients without both endoscopic findings, EUS identified deeper cancer and changed management in 4.8% (1/20) of cases. CONCLUSION: EUS was reasonably specific in ruling out submucosal invasion but had relatively poor sensitivity. Data validated endoscopic indicators suggested superficial cancers in the group with a tumor size < 2 cm and the lack of esophageal ulceration. In patients with these findings, EUS rarely identified a deep cancer that warranted a change in management