Isolation Scheme for Virtual Network Embedding Based on Reinforcement Learning for Smart City Vertical Industries

Modern ICT infrastructure is built on virtualization technologies, which connect a diverse set of dedicated networks to support a variety of smart city vertical industries (SCVI), such as energy, healthcare, manufacturing, entertainment, and intelligent transportation. The wide range of SCVI use cases require services to operate continuously and reliably. The violation of isolation by a specific SCVI, that is, a SCVI network must operate independently of other SCVI networks, complicates service assurance for infrastructure providers (InPs) significantly. As a result, a solution must be considered from the standpoint of isolation, which raises two issues: first, these SCVI networks have diverse resource requirements, and second, they necessitate additional functionality requirements such as isolation. Based on the above two problems faced by SCVI use cases, we propose a virtual network embedding (VNE) algorithm with resource and isolation constraints based on deep reinforcement learning (DRL). The proposed DRL_VNE algorithm can automatically adapt to changing dynamics and outperforms existing three state-of-the-art solutions by 12.9%, 19.0% and 4% in terms of the acceptance rate, the long-term average revenue, and long-term average revenue to cost ratio.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, 3 tables, 2 algorithm

Thinking global, acting local

Ongoing or continuous professional development is essential for teachers to develop and maintain the knowledge base required to produce more powerful learning outcomes among their students. Research has shown that professional development is more effective and meaningful to teachers when it is content focused, involves active learning and collective participation, and when it is sustained in duration, instead of being top-down, episodic, or delivered as ‘one-shot’ training workshops

Minimizing the Cost of 5G Network Slice Broker

Network slicing is a key enabler of the fifth-generation (5G) of mobile networks. It allows creating multiple logical networks, i.e. network slices, with heterogeneous requirements over a common underlying infrastructure. The underlying infrastructure is composed of heterogeneous resources, such as network and computational resources. These resources are owned and managed by various Infrastructure Providers (InPs). In network slicing, a new actor, called Slice Broker (SB), purchases resources from the various InPs to create the network slices. In this paper, we address the problem of the allocation of network slices. Our target is to minimize the total cost of SB to acquire the resources from the InPs. The contributions are the following: (i) we define the addressed problem; (ii) we propose a heuristic solution to the problem; (iii) we evaluate the behavior of the proposed heuristic in various scenarios, and we compare it with a benchmark solution. The results show that a cost reduction from 60% to 80% is possible in all scenarios investigated.acceptedVersio

The Relationship Between Fundamental Analysis and Stock Returns Based on the Panel Data Analysis; Evidence from Karachi Stock exchange (KSE)

Fundamental analysis has gained huge popularity among capital markets researchers in last decades. It uses current and past financial reports (Piotroski 2000, 2004; Fama and French, 2004; Elleuch 2009, Seng 2012), along with political and economic data in order to assign intrinsic value to firms and help to identify mispriced securities (Kothari, 2001). Both fundamental and technical analyses are used to forecast stock returns with the aim to buy stock when they are under-priced and sell when they are overpriced.Our study aimed to investigate the ability of the historical accounting data in predicting future stock returns using fundamental analysis especially in emerging economy i.e. Pakistan. Data were collected for the eleven-year period from 2007 to 2017 for 115 non-financial companies listed on Karachi stock exchange (KSE) with available ten years consecutive data. This paper utilizes five indicators from multiple areas i.e. profitability ratios, liquidity ratios, leverage ratios, and market-based ratios. For analysis, this study used penal data analysis (common effect model, fixed effect model, and random effect model). The results indicates that the fundamental analysis can predict future stock returns in Pakistani listed companies and end up with the implications and future directions. Keywords:  Fundamental analysis, Penal data analysis, emerging economy i.e. Pakistan

Metabolic Dependencies in Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a highly lethal cancer with a long-term survival rate under 10%. Available cytotoxic chemotherapies have significant side effects, and only marginal therapeutic efficacy. FDA approved drugs currently used against PDA target DNA metabolism and DNA integrity. However, alternative metabolic targets beyond DNA may prove to be much more effective. PDA cells are forced to live within a particularly severe microenvironment characterized by relative hypovascularity, hypoxia, and nutrient deprivation. Thus, PDA cells must possess biochemical flexibility in order to adapt to austere conditions. A better understanding of the metabolic dependencies required by PDA to survive and thrive within a harsh metabolic milieu could reveal specific metabolic vulnerabilities. These molecular requirements can then be targeted therapeutically, and would likely be associated with a clinically significant therapeutic window since the normal tissue is so well-perfused with an abundant nutrient supply. Recent work has uncovered a number of promising therapeutic targets in the metabolic domain, and clinicians are already translating some of these discoveries to the clinic. In this review, we highlight mitochondria metabolism, non-canonical nutrient acquisition pathways (macropinocytosis and use of pancreatic stellate cell-derived alanine), and redox homeostasis as compelling therapeutic opportunities in the metabolic domain

Outcome of Retinaculotomy for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Objective: To evaluate the results of a minimally invasive technique performed for the most prevalent diseasewhich is not dependent on sophisticated instrumentation and results in early return to work.Material and Methods: A total of 52 patients was operated and included in the study. The record of thesepatients was collected on specified proforma.We used the retinaculotomy method performed by 3 surgeons of the same competence level.Results: Total number of patients operated was 52 Male 8 (15%) Female 44 (85%). A total of 48 (92%) patientsimproved (by 4th week in terms of VAS from 6 to 1 or 0). 9% of patients had scar tenderness which improved by 4th week in 100 % patients. Almost all the patients resumed their daily life activities by 4th week.Conclusion: It was concluded from this study that using the mini technique of retinaculotomy the complicationsassociated with the use of the classic open technique can be avoided and patients successfully treated can have an early return to their normal daily life activities

Large mediastinal mass in a 15-year-old boy

Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome is a rare multisystem inherited disorder characterised by high serum IgE levels, skin disorder causing eczema, dermatitis, recurrent staphylococcal infections and pulmonary infections and various skeletal and connective tissue abnormalities. Common presentation is with recurrent skin and sinopulmonary infections. Several features unrelated to immune system such as characteristic facial features, hyperextensibility of joints, multiple bone fractures and craniosynostosis have been described in the literature. We describe a rare presentation of this disease with invasive aspergillosis presenting as mediastinal mass with extension to mediastinalstructures and pulmonary vasculature

Frequency of various risk factors for Meconium aspiration syndrome

Objective: To study the frequency of various factor leading to meconium aspiration syndrome. Material & Method: This present descriptive cross sectional study was carried out at Department of Pediatrics Medicine Bahawal Victoria  Hospital Multan. for 6 months i.e. from October 8, 2018 to April 8, 2019. The non-probability, consecutive sampling technique was used. Newborns having staining of vocal cords and respiratory distress were included in this study. ABG and X ray Chest was done in all neonates. Factors like, Post-term pregnancy, IUGR, thick meconium, low APGAR score at 1 and 5 minutes were noted. All the collected data was entered and analyzed on SPSS version 23. Chi square and T test were used to check significant relation of risk factors with meconium aspiration syndrome. P value of 0,05 was consider significant. Results: Among total enrolled 150 babies, the mean age of babies was 37.37±18.96 hours, the male to female ratio of the babies was 1.03:1. The mean maternal age was 28.85±6.602 years. The thick meconium was observed in 89(59.33%) patients, 79(52.7%) patients went through vaginal delivery, postdate pregnancy was noted in 68(45.3%) patients, IUGR was observed in 52(34.7%) patients and poor APGAR score at 1 min was noted in 79(52.7%) patients. Conclusion: The observations of our study revealed that Meconium aspiration syndrome has significant relation with maternal age(P value 0.000), postdated pregnancy(P Value 0.001), IUGR (P value 0.021), poor APGAR score at 5 minutes( P value 0.034), and thick meconium(P value 0.000). Keywords: Postdate, Meconium  Aspiration , Syndrome, APGAR, Pregnancy DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/55-19 Publication date:May 31st 201

Appraisal of Ground Water Potential through Remote Sensing in River Basin, Pakistan

Groundwater is an important source of water supply throughout the world and is one of the vital parts of the hydrological cycle. Its availability depends on the precipitation and recharge conditions. In arid regions, recharge amount is smaller than semiarid regions. Recharge is the basic phenomenon for the sustainability of ground water resources. Pakistan has inadequate water resources and inflow pattern due to arid climate. There are so many factors which make the conditions gradually worst such as increasing population, change in climate condition and misuse of water resources etc. These factors lead to the situation of water scarcity rather than any addition. watershed is positioned at the boundary of Sindh and Balochistan, Pakistan. It is the most important water supply source to Industrial area and the mega city of Karachi, which is getting only about 50 percent of water supply against its fast-increasing requirement. Hab watershed is therefore considered for this study. Remote Sensing and GIS are very effective tools for the assessment and exploration of potential sites of groundwater in any of the watershed. A case study was conducted for the assessment of groundwater potential sites in study area. For this purpose, different thematic layers were created like drainage map, structural and geological map and Overlay analysis was performed and to determine the potential zone of groundwater in the study area

Screening of Diabetes and HIV Infection in Newly Diagnosed Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients

Objective: Aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of diabetes and HIV infection by screening in newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in Pulmonology department Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur.  From  1 June 2018 to 1 June 2019 after taking approval from the institutional ethical committee. Total 159 newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients were recruited by non-probability consecutive sampling. Mean and SD was calculated for numerical variables like age , BMI, FBG, Hemoglobin and monthly income. Ferquancy and percentages were calculated for categorical variables like gender, smooking status, educational status, alcohol consumption, prevelance of HIV and diabetes, Ch square test was use to check significant different in PTB and Non PTB patients. P value of < 0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Significant difference was found between age (p=0.000), BMI (p=0.000), FBG (p=0.000), hemoglobin (p=0.000), gender (p=0.002) and alcohol consumption (p=0.034), in groups, except education status (p=0.090) and monthly income (p=0.068). The main outcome variables of this study were HIV infection and diabetes. HIV infection was noted in 3.1% (n=5) and 1.9% (n=3) patients for PTB and non-PTB group respectively. While, 8.2% (n=13) and 4.4% (n=4) patients suffered from diabetes, for both the groups respectively. Conclusion: The results of our study revealed that on screening of newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients with HIV infection and diabetes, their prevalence was high as compared to non-pulmonary tuberculosis group. But this difference was statistically non significant (P value 0.474 and 0.166). Key words:   Pulmonary tuberculosis, Diabetes, HIV infection DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/55-21 Publication date:May 31st 201