A generative adversarial strategy for modeling relation paths in knowledge base representation learning

Enabling neural networks to perform multi-hop (mh) reasoning over knowledge bases (KBs) is vital for tasks such as question-answering and query expansion. Typically, recurrent neural networks (RNNs) trained with explicit objectives are used to model mh relation paths (mh-RPs). In this work, we hypothesize that explicit objectives are not the most effective strategy effective for learning mh-RNN reasoning models, proposing instead a generative adversarial network (GAN) based approach. The proposed model – mh Relation GAN (mh-RGAN) – consists of two networks; a generator $G$, and discriminator $D$. $G$ is tasked with composing a mh-RP and $D$ with discriminating between real and fake paths. During training, $G$ and $D$ contest each other adversarially as follows: $G$ attempts to fool $D$ by composing an indistinguishably invalid mh-RP given a head entity and a relation, while $D$ attempts to discriminate between valid and invalid reasoning chains until convergence. The resulting model is tested on benchmarks WordNet and FreeBase datasets and evaluated on the link prediction task using MRR and HIT@ 10, achieving best-in-class performance in all cases

OSU-AGRANI Bank Rural Deposit Mobilization Experiment

Three models of incentive mechanisms to mobilize rural bank deposits were experimented with between February 1, 1986 and April 30, 1986 in three branches in each of two regions in Bangladesh. One model, the Tangible Incentive Model, was designed to test tangible incentives given to depositors, in addition to the normal interest income, for opening a new account or adding to an existing account and maintaining in those accounts an additional deposit of Tk. 500 or more for at least 90 days. Prize bonds valued at one percent of the eligible deposit balance were given to the depositors. Another model, the Marketing Model, was designed to test the impact of cash incentives paid to two specially appointed Field Assistants in the branch for marketing of bank deposits. The Field Assistants were paid Tk. 150 per month for incidental expenses, and an incentive bonus of one percent of eligible deposits mobilized of Tk. 1000 or more, and 10 or more accounts opened or reactivated. The third model, Employee Incentive Model, was designed to test additional financial incentives given to existing branch staff beyond the benefits currently provided. The branch staff, except the Manager, received the same incentive bonus and at the same rate as the Field Assistants in the Marketing Model. Over 800 new accounts were opened or dormant accounts reactivated in the six branches through the experiment. Total deposits of Tk. 1.4 billion were mobilized by these accounts. These deposits ranged from one percent to over eight percent of the branch's existing deposit base. The increase in number of accounts ranged from over one-half of one percent to almost thirteen percent of the branch's existing number of accounts. The Tangible Incentive Model produced the most cost effective result in generating new deposits and deposit accounts at the lowest cost per taka or per account mobilized. This model clearly shows that rural deposits can be mobilized by direct incentives. The overall implication of the experiment is that banks can mobilize rural deposits if serious efforts are made to reach this objective with appropriate incentive schemes

Relationship Between Work-Family Conflict, Job Embeddedness, Workplace Flexibility, and Turnover Intentions

The present study seeks to propose and test a research model that investigates job embeddedness as a mediator and workplace flexibility as a moderator of the effect of family-work conflict on turnover intentions. This study uses a survey method and a structured questionnaire to collect data from 187 nurses working in various hospitals in Islamabad, Pakistan. The results showed that on-the-job embeddedness partially mediated the effect of work-family conflict on nurses\u27 turnover intention. Furthermore, workplace flexibility moderated the relationship between work-family conflict and turnover intention. Management of the hospitals should take decisive steps to establish and maintain a supportive and flexible work environment because such an environment would help nurses to balance their work (family) and family (work) roles and lead to increased job embeddedness. Otherwise, it would be very difficult to retain high performing nurses in the workplace. The current study contributes to the existing knowledge base by testing job embeddedness as a mediator and workplace flexibility as a moderator of the impact of work-family conflict on turnover intentions of nurses

The Relationship of Corporate Governance and Firm Performance

This survey based research administered 300 questionnaires to the middle and top level managers of 130 Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) listed firms. The questionnaire used in this study was designed to study the relationship between corporate governance structure and firm performance. The findings of this research shows that among corporate governance dimensions, “commitment to corporate governance” ,  “transparency and disclosure” and “Structure and function of Board” have the highest middle and lowest mean values respectively assigned by the sample studied. Further regression analysis showed that “commitment to corporate governance” ,  “transparency and disclosure” have significant positive relationship with firm performance. Finally study find that “Structure and function of Board” has positive with firm performance that is not statistically significant. Keyword: corporate governance, firm performance, commitment to corporate governance and transparency and disclosur

Site Suitability Analysis for Urban Settlements along River Jhelum, Pakistan using GIS and Remote Sensing Techniques

Infrastructure development is critical to the success of economic growth policies. Remote sensing and GIS tools have an important role to play in the development of various urban infrastructures. Due to the rapid growth of urban population and urbanization, it is necessary to find out the site's suitability for sustainable urban development. The main aim of the study is to study the growth and trend of urbanization, as well as to find out the suitable sites for further urban development in northern Punjab, along the river Jhelum, Pakistan. The study illustrates the use of geographic information system (GIS) and Remote Sensing based techniques i.e. Human Natural Environment Index (HNEI) applied with a foundation of Relief Degree of Land Surface (RDLS), Temperature Humidity Index (THI), Water Resource Index (WRI), and Land Cover Index (LCI) for selection of the suitable site for urban settlements along river Jhelum, Pakistan. For this purpose, Toposheet and Landsat satellite data were used to generate various thematic layers using ArcGIS software. The results were generated in form of five categories i.e., highly suitable, moderately suitable, relatively low suitable, low suitable, and non-suitable. The final results indicated that district Sargodha is most suitable for long-term sustainable urban settlements favored by relief, climate, water availability, land cover scenario, and flood hazard-free area. Eventually, a site suitability map is prepared for further urban development. The present study allows the local people as well as urban planners for the appropriate plans of land use planning in sustainable urban development

Impact Assessment of Urban Built-up Area on Groundwater Level of District Faisalabad, Pakistan

This paper attempts to explore the impact of built-up areas on groundwater levels in district Faisalabad.To understand the rate of built-up area expansion and changes in the level of groundwater in the study area, groundwaterdata has been acquired from the Land Reclamation Department for all tehsils in district Faisalabad. This study wasconducted to assess spatial and temporal variation of groundwater level because of the built-up area change. Descriptivestatistics (Scatter Plot correlation technique) have been applied to figure out changes in groundwater levels. Furthermore,some built-up area extraction methods have been incorporated that are always found to be effective tools for theassessment of built-up area change. The spatial analysis tool Spline has applied to 79 bore points in all tehsils of districtFaisalabad. Results clearly show that a built-up increase of 41 km2in Faisalabad city is causing 1-foot depletion ingroundwater as compared to other tehsils, where a built-up increase is negligible. Such research studies of groundwaterchanges would assist the planners to adopt effective sustainable measures