Resource Allocation through Auction-based Incentive Scheme for Federated Learning in Mobile Edge Computing

openMobile Edge Computing (MEC) combinedly with Federated Learning is con- sidered as most capable solutions to AI-driven services. Most of the studies focus on Federated Learning on security aspects and performance, but the re- search is lacking to establish an incentive mechanism for the devices that are connected with a server to perform different task. In MEC, edge nodes would not participate voluntarily in learning process, nodes differ in the accusation of multi-dimensional resources, which also affects the performance of federated learning. In a competitive market scenario, the auction game theory has been widely popular for designing efficient resource allocation mechanisms, as it particularly focuses on regulating the strategic interactions among the self-interested play- ers.In this thesis, I investigate auction-based approach that based on incentive mechanism and encourage nodes to share their resources and take part in train- ing process as well as to maximize the auction revenue. To achieve this research goal, I developed auction mechanism considering the network dynamics and neglecting the devices computation and design a novel generalized first price auction mechanism to encourage participation of connected devices. Furthermore, I studied the K top best-response bidding strategies that maximize the profits of the resource sellers and guarantee the stability and effectiveness of the auction by satisfying desired economic properties. To this end, I validate the performance of the proposed auction mechanisms and bidding strategies through numerical result analysis.Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) combinedly with Federated Learning is con- sidered as most capable solutions to AI-driven services. Most of the studies focus on Federated Learning on security aspects and performance, but the re- search is lacking to establish an incentive mechanism for the devices that are connected with a server to perform different task. In MEC, edge nodes would not participate voluntarily in learning process, nodes differ in the accusation of multi-dimensional resources, which also affects the performance of federated learning. In a competitive market scenario, the auction game theory has been widely popular for designing efficient resource allocation mechanisms, as it particularly focuses on regulating the strategic interactions among the self-interested play- ers.In this thesis, I investigate auction-based approach that based on incentive mechanism and encourage nodes to share their resources and take part in train- ing process as well as to maximize the auction revenue. To achieve this research goal, I developed auction mechanism considering the network dynamics and neglecting the devices computation and design a novel generalized first price auction mechanism to encourage participation of connected devices. Furthermore, I studied the K top best-response bidding strategies that maximize the profits of the resource sellers and guarantee the stability and effectiveness of the auction by satisfying desired economic properties. To this end, I validate the performance of the proposed auction mechanisms and bidding strategies through numerical result analysis

Association of hypoadiponectemia with smokeless/dipping tobacco use in young men

Background: Low levels of adiponectin, an adipocytokine with anti-diabetic, antiatherogenic and cardioprotective properties, is associated with increased risk of coronary disease in young men. Previous studies have demonstrated that smokeless tobacco is linked with a reduction of plasma adiponectin levels. However, the influence of smokeless tobacco (dipping tobacco) on plasma adiponectin levels still remains unknown. This study was conducted to assess the plasma adiponectin levels in young men who were using dipping tobacco. Methods: This was a community based study, which consisted of 186 young lean healthy males aged 20 to 35 years. Among these, 96 men were dipping tobacco users (BMI = 23.07 ± 2.68) and 90 were non-dipping tobacco users (BMI = 23.67 ± 1.46). Serum adiponectin levels were assessed by Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA). Results: A statistically significant difference in the mean adiponectin level between tobacco dipper and non-dipper groups was observed (p = 0.0001). A significant difference between the two groups was also observed in baseline parameters including triglyceride and random blood sugar levels (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed between the two groups in other clinical parameters. Conclusions: Findings of this study suggest that dipping tobacco use was significantly associated with low level of adiponetin in community dwelling young males. This emphasizes the importance of developing community intervention to reduce the use of dipping tobacco, which will reduce the tobacco associated disease burden in the community and will improve public health

SPORTS SENTIMENTS AND FINANCIAL MARKETS: SHADENFREUDE IN RIVALRY OF INDIA AND PAKISTAN

This paper examines the reaction of sports (International Cricket) outcomes on stock markets of Pakistan and India. Valuation of stock markets is taken in terms of abnormal stock returns around the dates of one day international (ODI) matches. Event study has been employed in this paper for 605 ODI matches played by Pakistan and 660 ODI matches played by India in period of 1990-2019. Findings suggest that on next trading day following the match stock returns are positive after win and negative after losing the game in both countries. In this paper one novel finding is existence of negative abnormal returns one day before matches due to anxiety of fan investors before game starts. Another important aspect of rivalry is examined as two rival countries are taken as sample. Results suggest that fan investors experience schadenfreude as they feel positive when their national team wins or rival team loses and feel bad when their team loses or rival wins. This optimism or pessimism results in abnormal stock returns mentioned in results of this paper

MODERATED MEDIATION MECHANISM OF FAMILY MOTIVATION ON WORK ENGAGEMENT

To have competitive advantages, it is necessary for organizations to retain and develop motivated employees. The main objective of this study is to explore the impact of family motivation on employee work engagement through intrinsic motivation, investigate the conditional effect of emotional exhaustion between family motivation and intrinsic motivation, and examine the indirect effect of family motivation on work engagement via intrinsic motivation as a mediator in media firms. The data is collected through a survey questionnaire from the media firm’s employees. These media firms are located in Lahore, Pakistan, in the province of Punjab. By using Process Macros (Model 7) on an actual sample of 240 employees and using a convenience sampling technique. The finding of this study shows that family motivation is positively associated with intrinsic motivation, which in turn is positively linked with employee work engagement. The study's findings also showed that intrinsic motivation mediates family motivation and work engagement relationships. Furthermore, results showed that emotional exhaustion negatively moderates the relationship between family motivation and intrinsic motivation as well as the mediating relationship of intrinsic motivation between family motivation and work engagement. Moreover, the study offers consequences for theory and practice

Acetabular morphometry and prevalence of hip dysplasia in the South Asian population

We carried out a cross-sectional study to measure the association of the seven acetabular parameters with pelvic morphometry and prevalence of hip dysplasia in our population. Convenience sampling was carried out and 250 consecutive patients who came to AKUH for intravenous pyelogram and had no complaints in the region of the hip joint were enrolled in the study. Post-micturition standardized plain antero-posterior pelvic radiographs of 250 asymptomatic adults (500 hip joints) was studied. There were 136 males (54.4%) and 114 females (45.6%). Mean age of our study population was 38 years (15-78 years). The average center edge angle was 35.5±6.6° standard deviation (SD), acetabular angle was 37.76±4.37°, depth to width ratio was 0.31±4.6°, roof obliquity was 10.6±6.2°, extrusion index was 0.1±5.8, lateral subluxation 8.9±2.7 mm, and peak to edge distance 17±3.98 mm. There was significant influence (p\u3c0.05) of age in all angles except depth to width ratio. A total of seven hip joints (1.4%) were dysplastic with CE angle \u3c25° while four of the seven hips were severely dysplastic with CE angle \u3c20°. In the dysplastic group there was significant correlation (p\u3c0.05) of CE angle with acetabular angle, depth to width ratio, extrusion index and peak to edge distance. Prevalence of hip dysplasia was found to be very low in our population. These results are consistent with the findings of studies carried out in other Asian countries

CREDIBILITY OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES: IMPACT ON ORGANIZATIONAL ATTRACTION IN RECRUITMENT FILED

Social networking sites provide a way to potential Job seekers to come across with different information about companies for the existing job openings and hiring campaigns. We conducted a study to get the Feedback of job seekers about the credibility of social networking sites about the job advertisement and hiring information available on their pages. The purpose of this study was to examine and record the perception of job seekers about social networking sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook both, which are more commonly accessible to people and organizations to post their activities openly. Moreover, one purpose of this study was to check the attraction and attention of people towards the organizations after receiving true or false information from the social network sites about recruitment in those organizations. A survey was conducted to collect the data from participants; which were active user of social networking sites. We targeted 200 final year students who were searching jobs. We used convenient sampling technique for this study and we found out that according to job seeker’s perception face book is more credible source for recruitment activities and developing attraction towards organizations as compare to LinkedIn. However; this is just an empirical research attempt to fulfill the gap

Integration of TTF, UTAUT, and ITM for mobile Banking Adoption

The introduction of mobile banking facility has enabled customers to carry out banking transactionswith the use of smartphones and other handheld devices from anywhere. It has become a luxurious and exclusive method of online payments. The recent growth of telecommunication sector and a tremendous increase in mobile USAge has opened new doors for sparking future of banking sector industry. The following research is aimed to find out the mobile banking adoption attitudes with the integration of TTF, UTAUT,and ITM models

Negative impacts of chalets operation on the peninsular Malaysia marine park islands

The popularity of marine tourism put intense pressure on the island's environment. Limited studies were conducted to determine the negative impacts caused by chalets operation. Study aim is to investigate the adverse effects caused by the chalet’s operation on the Tioman and Perhentian Island. The objectives are to identify operation activities and the negative impact caused by the operation. The study was conducted by adopting qualitative method. The findings indicate solid waste disposal, groundwater extraction, and sewage disposal are destroying the marine environment in many ways. Several recommendations were provided to reduce the negative impacts

Proximal Actuation of an Elastically Loaded Scissors Mechanism for the Leg Design of a Quadruped Robot

Spring Loaded Pantographs (SLPs) are frequently used in designing lightweight limbs for multi-legged robots. Quadruped robots that incorporate cable-pulled SLP legs have proven to be agile, robust and capable of conserving energy during their gait cycle. In such designs, the extension of the distal segments via the knee joint is dependent upon the length of the cable. In this article we propose the use of an Elastically Loaded Scissors Mechanism (ELS Mechanism or ELSM), which is a variant of the SLP. Driven by ’pulling’ onto the proximal joint of the scissors as opposed to the distal joint, this proposed leg utilizes the increased mechanical advantage of the scissors mechanism to ’amplify’ input angles to larger output displacement by the knee joint. Analysis and Simulations reveal that the proposed mechanism achieves increased motion speed as compared to the SLP mechanism. This, however, comes at the cost of higher load on the actuator which serves as an engineering trade-off. This is validated by experimentation using motion capture and load motor techniques of the SLP and ELS configurations in a physical quadruped robot