Marketing problems of farmers in Punjab, Pakistan : a case study

The incentives which encouraged the author to undertake this research work stem from the need for such work. First of all, comparatively little information is available within or outside Pakistan concerning the origins and evolution of planning and design characteristics of rural landscapes, and particularly the prevalent marketing structure and its related aspects of life in Punjab region. In Pakistan, sources of materials in the form of Government reports and special studies do exist, but they are widely scattered and relatively little attention is paid to them. This research study at Edinburgh University is an attempt to add to that scarce information by carrying out objective and systematic research on 'the comparative study of canal-irrigated (Bar) and wells-irrigated (Bet) areas with special reference to agricultural marketing problems of farmers in Punjab'. This study explores that the Bar areas, with the help of the British canal irrigation system, were planned in rural landscapes of Punjab and later due to overseas migration due to better education have proved prosperous as compared to the wells-irrigated (Bet) areas. This study mainly focusses on the comparison of agricultural marketing problems of the farmers from these planned and unplanned rural areas in the light of neoclassical, natural resource, locational and central place theories

Relation of Gallstones with Hepatitis C Infection

Objective: The objective of this study case was to draw an analogy of frequency of gallstonesbetween  patients diagnosed with Hepatitis C and those without the virus.Place and Duration of Study: The examination spanned almost two years (January 2018 – September 2018) at the Mayo hospital, Lahore.Materials and Methods:By using the Non probability sampling technique, 1000 cases were included, regardless of age and sex. The patients were examined by the gimmune chromatographic strip-test method for the Anti-HCV antibody.Individual groups for those with Hepatitis C and without it were categorized. Group 1 included seronegative while the Group 2 compromised of seropositive patients. The abdomen region was scanned with ultrasound to determine the presence of gallstones. A particular program was design for the collection of data of age, gender, absence or presence of gallstones. The details were assessed by employing SPSS V.21. Description statistics and Chi square test was implemented.ResultsAn aggregate number of 1000 patients were incorporated into the examination, which were classified into two groups. In Group I, 500 patients were HCV seronegative and keeping in mind that in Group II 500 patients were HCV seropositive. Out of 1000 patients, 735 (73.5%) were female and 265 (26.5%) were male. Mean age of the patients was 41 ± 2.33 years.Most youthful patient was 18 years of age and oldest was 89 years of age. Male and females with Hepatitis C antibodies were 122 (46.03%) and 522 (71.02%) individually. Add up to existence of gallstone in the two groups was 233 (23.3%) patients. In Group I gallstones were found in 51 (6.12%) patients and in group II (HCV+ve) in 132 (31.43%) cases.Conclusion: Hepatitis infection is positively relatedto the gallstone formation.Key Words: gallstones, gallbladder, Hepatitis C, GBD, virus, cholelithiasis

Combine and Multilevel Implementation of Cryptographic and Data Hiding Algorithms to Provide a Hybrid Data-Security Scheme

It is generally accepted that data encryption is the key role in current and future technologies for information security. Cryptography plays an important task in accomplishing information security. Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) is considered as more suitable for limited resources applications such as RFID, and for Chip based Systems such as modern day Pervasive and ubiquitous Computing Communication Systems, than other public key cryptography algorithms because of its small key size. Generally, a random generator is used to produce. ECC domain parameters. Here in this work, we have proposed “Combine and Multilevel Implementation of AES & ECC along with Steganography to provide a Hybrid Cryptographic Security technic in Data communication Systems. Which will help in development of an algorithm to secure the data of users (both Wired and Wireless/Satellite Communication) in complex manner with more security and accuracy by implementing multilevel and hybrid scheme of AES and ECC encryption algorithms along with Steganography. The design is implemented using the MATLAB R2012a simulations. The data is secured using the resulted public and private keys (generated by ECC in combination with (AES) encryption and decryption process) along with the technic of steganography for hiding this encrypted data in a fake message or Image to provide the strong cryptographic solution for highly secured data communication systems. It is tested over plain text and image with multiple data sizes. Furthermore, in order to elaborate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme, we provided a comprehensive performance analysis (evaluation) of the approach: hybrid implementation of symmetric and asymmetric key cryptographic algorithms w.r.t these parameters: time elapsed, data sizes, key sizes (variance of Key Space) and impact of steganography.

Comparison of Frequency of Pseudo-Exfoliation Syndrome in Patients Undergoing Cataract Surgery in Different Regional Hospitals of Pakistan

Objective: To compare the frequency of Pseudo-Exfoliation Syndrome (PXS) in patients undergoing cataract surgery in different regional hospitals in Pakistan. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Three Tertiary Care Hospitals of Karachi, Rawalakot and Skardu Pakistan, from Sep 2017 to May 2020. Methodology: Patients aged 45 years and more undergoing age-related cataract surgery were evaluated for Pseudo-Exfoliation Syndrome. Initially, each patient underwent a complete outpatient ophthalmological workup. Demographic details like age and gender were noted. All the patients were screened for hypertension and diabetes mellitus. In addition, patients were screened for pseudo-exfoliation syndrome. Congenital, developmental, secondary and traumatic cataracts were excluded. Results: A total of 1882 patients were included in the study. Pseudo-exfoliation was carried out in 249(13.23%) patients. In Hospital-A, 23(3.23%); in Hospital-B, 145(14.92%) and Hospital-C, 81(40.70%) of the patients had pseudo-exfoliation. The frequency of pseudo-exfoliation syndrome was significantly more in Hospital-C and then in Hospital-B and least in HospitalA (p<0.01). Conclusion: Pseudo-exfoliation syndrome was significantly more common in Skardu and then in Rawalakot and least in Malir, which in the same order have more latitude away from the equator, have less average annual temperature and are situated at higher altitudes

Simulation and measurements associated with the Olympus ku-band SSTDMA experiment.

The increase in demand for channel capacity and the limitations in satellite power and frequency spectrum is leading to requirements for advanced multiple beam antenna systems with frequency reuse. The concept of the Olympus satellite evolved from the fact that new technologies and methods are to be explored for future satellites. The role of Olympus can be seen in both the development of earth station networks and at the same time the satellite requirements for the future satellites. It is a step between advanced transparent repeaters and the future intelligent satellite with on-board processing. A review of commercial and experimental satellites employed in the European region is given in the thesis. The services offered by these satellites and the access methods used are discussed with particular emphasis on business services. The new research work reported was done on the experiments related to the Olympus SS-TDMA payload. First a survey of commercial TDMA systems was performed and their capabilities discussed in detail for the SS-TDMA experimental application. The Olympus payload description and link budget analysis was performed in order to identify the size of the earth station required for these networks. The performance of the satellite link was simulated using BOSS software package together with some earlier simulation using the TOPSIM software package. The methods of BER estimation used are investigated and various results compared. These simulations covered most aspects of the RF (degradation due to TWTA non-linearity, fading, carrier spacing, co-channel interference) and some aspects of the baseband circuits. These simulation results have been compared with the experimental results and were found to be in close agreement. Thus giving confidence in the simulation methods used. In SS-TDMA the problem of acquisition and synchronisation is very important. In this respect the design of the acquisition and synchronisation unit (ASU) is discussed in detail. The resulting ASU was interfaced with the reference station of the commercial TDMA system for the first phase of the SS-TDMA experiments. Finally we present results of various network control methods for the SS-TDMA network, including the buffer requirement for the on-board clock control with the sidereal day clock correction. The ASU design, its interface to the reference TDMA terminal and successful operation with the reference station in acquiring and synchronising with the satellite switch provided the real time operation of the SS-TDMA scheme. The operation was conducted experimentally using the BTRL (British Telecom Research Labs) experimental earth station at Martlesham both in the "reference station loopback" and "reference station and traffic station" configuration via the the SS-TDMA switch. Full details of the experiments and comparison with systems simulations are presented in the thesis

Simulation and measurements associated with the Olympus ku-band SSTDMA experiment.

The increase in demand for channel capacity and the limitations in satellite power and frequency spectrum is leading to requirements for advanced multiple beam antenna systems with frequency reuse. The concept of the Olympus satellite evolved from the fact that new technologies and methods are to be explored for future satellites. The role of Olympus can be seen in both the development of earth station networks and at the same time the satellite requirements for the future satellites. It is a step between advanced transparent repeaters and the future intelligent satellite with on-board processing. A review of commercial and experimental satellites employed in the European region is given in the thesis. The services offered by these satellites and the access methods used are discussed with particular emphasis on business services. The new research work reported was done on the experiments related to the Olympus SS-TDMA payload. First a survey of commercial TDMA systems was performed and their capabilities discussed in detail for the SS-TDMA experimental application. The Olympus payload description and link budget analysis was performed in order to identify the size of the earth station required for these networks. The performance of the satellite link was simulated using BOSS software package together with some earlier simulation using the TOPSIM software package. The methods of BER estimation used are investigated and various results compared. These simulations covered most aspects of the RF (degradation due to TWTA non-linearity, fading, carrier spacing, co-channel interference) and some aspects of the baseband circuits. These simulation results have been compared with the experimental results and were found to be in close agreement. Thus giving confidence in the simulation methods used. In SS-TDMA the problem of acquisition and synchronisation is very important. In this respect the design of the acquisition and synchronisation unit (ASU) is discussed in detail. The resulting ASU was interfaced with the reference station of the commercial TDMA system for the first phase of the SS-TDMA experiments. Finally we present results of various network control methods for the SS-TDMA network, including the buffer requirement for the on-board clock control with the sidereal day clock correction. The ASU design, its interface to the reference TDMA terminal and successful operation with the reference station in acquiring and synchronising with the satellite switch provided the real time operation of the SS-TDMA scheme. The operation was conducted experimentally using the BTRL (British Telecom Research Labs) experimental earth station at Martlesham both in the "reference station loopback" and "reference station and traffic station" configuration via the the SS-TDMA switch. Full details of the experiments and comparison with systems simulations are presented in the thesis

Oxygen Carriers Materials for Chemical-Looping Technologies

Carbon dioxide is the gas which contributes most to the greenhouse effect. It is released in large quantities from fossil fuel-based power plants around the world. It is generally accepted that a rapid decrease in the emissions of carbon dioxide is needed. One method to achieve rapid reductions in the emissions and still use fossil fuels is to capture and store the carbon dioxide. However, the separation of carbon dioxide from a flue gas stream of a power plant is an expensive and energy-intensive process resulting in a large decrease in efficiency. Thus there is a need to find cheaper and more efficient methods to perform the separation. Chemical-looping combustion (CLC) and chemical-looping reforming (CLR) are innovative technologies for power and hydrogen production from natural gas with the capture of carbon dioxide. In CLC, CO2 is inherently separated from other flue gas components i.e. N2 and O2 with minor energy losses. With some modifications CLC can be modified for production of hydrogen, i.e. CLR. Both processes involve the use of an oxygen carrier that transfers oxygen from combustion air to the fuel. Two inter-connected fluidized beds, a fuel and an air reactor, are used in the process. Whereas the natural gas is fully oxidized to CO2 and H2O in the fuel reactor for CLC, it is only partially oxidized by the metal oxide in the fuel reactor for CLR, resulting in a mixture of H2, CO2, CO and H2O. The exit stream from the fuel reactor can be sent to a water gas shift reactor to get an undiluted stream of CO2 and H2. The reduced metal oxide is sent into the air reactor where it is oxidized by air. The oxidation reaction is exothermic resulting in heat production in the air reactor. This heat is used to maintain the oxygen carrier particles at the high temperature necessary for the endothermic reaction in the fuel reactor. The hot gases exiting from the air reactor can be used for power production. For the chemical-looping technologies to become successful it is important to find suitable oxygen carriers. This thesis focuses on the development and reactivity testing of such oxygen carriers. For CLR, metal oxides based on Ni, Cu, Mn and Fe were prepared by impregnation on SiO2 and MgAl2O4 and tested in a laboratory fluidized bed reactor as well as a thermo gravimetric analyzer (TGA). The particles were exposed to alternating reducing (50% CH4/ 50% H2O) and oxidizing (5% O2) conditions. With respect to the metal oxides on the SiO2 support, the particles based on NiO and CuO showed the highest reactivity, whereas Fe2O3 and Mn2O3 showed signs of deactivation as function of cycle number, likely due to the formation of metallic silicates. Only NiO showed high selectivity toward H2. All the MgAl2O4-supported metal oxides exhibited high reactivity under reducing and oxidizing conditions. In contrast to the SiO2 based particles, no deactivation as a function of cycle number was seen for any of these oxygen carriers. Reduction and oxidation kinetics of oxygen carriers of NiO/MgAl2O4 and Mn3O4/Mg-ZrO2 for CLC were investigated using methane and air in a TGA. At high temperature both oxygen carriers reacted rapidly under both reducing and oxidizing conditions and the reaction rate was a function of the temperature and concentration of reacting gas. However, it was found that NiO/MgAl2O4 may not be feasible to be used below 900 °C due to low reactivity. The reactions were modelled using the shrinking-core model for spherical grains assuming chemical reaction control and the kinetic parameters were calculated for both oxygen carriers. From the kinetic parameters the solid inventories in a real CLC system were calculated. The minimum solid inventories needed were 22 kg/MWf for NiO/MgAl2O4 and 135 kg/MWf for Mn3O4/Mg-ZrO2. These masses are very low compared to other oxygen carriers investigated previously, and thus both type of particles are very promising for a real CLC system

Stochastic numerical treatment for solving Falkner–Skan equations using feedforward neural networks

In this article, the artificial intelligence techniques have been used for the solution of Falkner–Skan (FS) equations based on neural networks optimized with three methods including active set technique, sequential quadratic programming and genetic algorithms (GA) hybridization. Log-sigmoid activation function is used in artificial neural network architecture. The proposed techniques are applied to a number of cases for Falkner–Skan problems, and results were compared with GA hybrid results in all cases and were found accurate. The level of accuracy is examined through statistical analyses based on a sufficiently large number of independent runs

Sustainable Pakistan through Matching Grants Programme : 21 century vision

With reference to 68th Annual session of Pakistan Engineering Congress (PEC) was held on 19th January 2001 at Lahore, the chief guest of the conference, the Chairman of National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) of Pakistan announced the replication of Matching Grants (MG) program for 21st Century through Citizen Community Boards (CCBs) in all over Pakistan. After a considerable period of three years even today MG program is running in villages, towns and cities of Pakistan under more than 20 thousands CCBs. Millions of the people of various districts of this country are benefiting from the community based sustainable projects. It is concluded that Engineering Congress has also played a significant role because (1) it provided the platform where the program was introduced all over the country. (2) Secondly this platform also provided the opportunities to the engineers, planners, architects and citizens of the country to build the nation together. As the consequences of this joint efforts to build the nation together has been seen at various tehsils and districts, where the engineers, planners, architects and citizens have started to understand each other and work together for sustainable Pakistan. 21st Century Matching Grant Program in the light of Iqbal's characteristics for sustainable Pakistan has been conceived. Thus the program has been reviewed and analysed through 9 criteria of Iqbal's thoughts which lead towards sustainable Pakistan