Action planning for graph transition systems

Graphs are suitable modeling formalisms for software and hardware systems involving aspects such as communication, object orientation, concurrency, mobility and distribution. State spaces of such systems can be represented by graph transition systems, which are basically transition systems whose states and transitions represent graphs and graph morphisms. In this paper, we propose the modeling of graph transition systems in PDDL and the application of heuristic search planning for their analysis. We consider different heuristics and present experimental results

Size of the Bimodality by using Trapezoidal Rule

This study investigates size of the bimodality to illustrate the gap between two modes/peaks in a bimodal distribution. To get this goal, one of the definite integral (i.e. Trapezoidal rule) is used on the mixture of normals (the mixture of one normal and the second one standard normal) with the selected parameter values of mean, mixing proportion and standard deviation. From the results, an increase of size of bimodality is identified if mean increases while all other parameters remain constant. A similar situation of increasing pattern of bimodality size has been observed when parametric values of mixing proportion increases (varies) while keeping other parameter values constant. However, a fraction changed is revealed in the size of bimodality if values of mean and mixing proportion are kept constant while standard deviation varies

Factors Influencing on Stock Market in Pakistan

The stock market is an economic institution that promotes the growth and development of the economy of a nation. This paper investigated the impact of inflation on stock market performance .The aim of this research to find out factors which have great impact on stock market performance of any country. This study discusses the main variable like interest rate and inflation rate and their effect on stock market performance. This study investigated that interest and inflation rate has significant negative relation with stock market performance, while in regression analysis it has been observed that the value of R2 = 0.62 means model is fit and can predict outcome. This study provides valuable knowledge to the government, economist and shareholders to jug the position of stock market for investment purpose. Keywords: Stock Market Performance, Inflation Rate, Interest Rat

21ST CENTURY EMERGING LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES IN MALAYSIAN HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTIONS

Purpose: This paper explores the 21st-century emerging leadership competencies in a Malaysian higher learning institution. As the forces of change are transforming the leadership landscape, new leadership capabilities are required for the 21st-century evolving globalized environment. Hence, research is needed to determine the key emerging leadership competencies in the higher learning institutions. Findings: The significance of the results were the relevance of the leadership competency concept in the context of higher learning institution, future leaders need competencies for effective leadership, and the core competencies of academic leaders are necessary. Additionally, besides the discussion on the emerging leadership competencies of visioning and strategic thinking, leadership agility, adaptability and change, relationship and collaboration, the new findings from the field data were corporate leadership and cross-cultural competence. Research limitations/implications: This qualitative case study focused on one higher learning institution. At the same time the research also provided the in-depth context-rich information. Practical implications: The knowledge and adoption of the emerging leadership competencies concept would enhance the development of progressive leadership. Originality/value: There is limited study on the emerging leadership competencies in the higher learning institutions. Hence, there is value in this research. The findings were original contributions to knowledge. Also, this study showed the link between the expected attributes of institutional leadership to the dimensions of transformational leadership and the key emerging leadership competencies. JEL Classification: L29

Karachi cancer registry (KCR): Age-standardized incidence rate by age-group and gender in a mega city of Pakistan

Objectives: To estimate the cancer incidence by age group and gender for the population of Karachi Division by analyzing the Karachi Cancer Registry data of 2017-19.Settings: The population of Karachi division is 16.1 million according to national census 2017. \u27Karachi Cancer Registry\u27 which is a part of \u27National Cancer Registry\u27 is collecting data from eight major hospitals in Karachi since 2017. For outcome measures, cancer counts and the age standardized incidence rates (ASIR) per 100,000 population were computed for age groups (0-14, 15-19 and ≥20 years), in both genders and all cancer site/type.Methods: The population denominators were based on the population of Karachi division estimated at 16.1 million in the population census, 2017. Counts and age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) were calculated for each of the three age categories.Results: From Jan 2017 till Dec 2019 a total of 33,309 malignant cases were recorded in KCR database comprising 17,490 (52.5%) females and 15,819 (47.5%) males. ASIRs in age groups 0-14, 15-19 and ≥ 20 years, among female were 11.5, 2.4 and 223.6 and in males were 17.6, 3.2 and 216.7 respectively. The commonest diagnosis in children, adolescent and adults were (1) among females: children; bone (3.12), leukemia (2.09) brain/CNS (1.26); in adolescents: bone (0.78), brain/CNS (0.27), connective and soft tissue (0.11), in adults: breast cancer (76.07), oral cancer (16.68) and ovary (10.89) respectively, and (2) among males: children; bone (4.56), leukemia (2.79) and brain/CNS (1.88); in adolescent; bone (1.19), brain/CNS (0.31) and leukemia (0.21) and in adults: oral cancer (42.83), liver (16.10) and bone (13.37) respectively.Conclusion: Oral Cancer, a largely preventable cancer is the leading cancer in Karachi adult males while in female adults Breast Cancer is the leading cancer followed by Oral Cancer. In children and adolescents Bone, Leukemia and Brain/CNS malignancies are most common.

Ionomic profiling of pericardial fluid in ischemic heart disease

Metals are essential cofactors that play a crucial role in heart function at the cell and tissue level. Information regarding the role of metals in the pericardial fluid and its ionome in ischemic heart disease (IHD) is limited. We aimed to determine the association of elements in pericardial fluid and serum samples of IHD patients and their correlation with systolic and diastolic function. IHD patients have been studied with systolic and diastolic dysfunction categorized on the basis of echocardiographic parameters. We measured concentrations of sixteen elements in the pericardial fluid and serum of 46 patients obtained during open heart surgery with IHD by ICP-MS. The levels of chromium and nickel in pericardial fluid were significantly higher as compared with serum samples of IHD patients (p \u3c 0.05). The chromium, nickel and manganese levels in pericardial fluid were lower in patients with ejection fraction (EF) \u3c 45% as compared to EF \u3e 45% (p \u3c 0.05). There was no significant difference in pericardial concentrations of elements in diastolic dysfunction grade 0–1 with 2 in IHD patients. We also found that decreased concentration of these elements in pericardial fluid is associated with decreased systolic function. These results suggest that pericardial fluid concentrations of these metals may reflect the extent of ischemic heart disease. These findings are hypothesis generating with regards to a role in the pathogenesis of the disorder

Understanding of metals dysregulation in patients with systolic and diastolic dysfunction in ischemic heart disease

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the leading cause of death and chronic disability in the world. IHD affects both the systolic and diastolic function of the heart which progressively leads to heart failure; a structural and functional impairment of filling or ejection of blood from the heart. In this study, the progression of systolic and diastolic dysfunction characterized according to their echocardiographic parameters including left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), grades of diastolic dysfunction and ratio between early mitral inflow velocity and mitral annular early diastolic velocity (E/e\u27), were correlated with differential regulation of various metals in patients sera samples (n = 62) using inductive coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Chromium, nickel and selenium were found significant (p \u3c 0.05) in patients having EF \u3c 45% compared with EF \u3e 45%. In patients with systolic dysfunction (EF \u3c 45%), the level of selenium was decreased while the level of chromium and nickel was increased compared to patients with EF \u3e 45%. Selenium level was also decreased significantly (p \u3c 0.05) in grade 1A and 2 patients that are considered as higher grades of diastole dysfunction in comparison to grade 0-1. Overall, selenium deficiency was identified in both systolic and diastolic dysfunctions of IHD patients corresponding to the progression of disease that could be related to many metabolic and translational pathways specifically which involve selenoproteins

Road Accidents and Prevention

Road accidents cannot be stopped despite providing the best possible roads and intersections, however there are ways to reduce the impact of road accidents on road-users and the vehicles plying on the road.The incidence of accidental deaths has shown an increasing trend during the period 2005 - 2015 with an increase of 54.3 in the year 2015 as compared to 2005 increase in the rate of accidental deaths during the same period was 25.5.A total of 4,00,517 accidental deaths were reported in the country during 2015 (5,535 more than such deaths reported in 2014) showing an increase of 1.4 as compared to 2014. However, the average rate of Accidental Deaths has remained same 32.6 in 2014 and 2015.In the stretches we studied the road accidents are increasing rapidly .We studied accidental records of various police-stations ,identified the black-spots of accidents and then analyzed the geometric features of those spots whose observation is given in this paper .The identification of such points provides us ease to work on some section of road which is most prone to accidents .We analyzed the geometric deficiencies and they recommended ways to reduce their affects. The findings indicated that large radii right-turn curves were more dangerous than left curves, in particular, during lane changing maneuvers. However sharper curves are more dangerous in both left and right curves. Moreover, motorway carriageways with no or limited shoulders have the highest CR when compared to other carriageway width. Proper traffic guidance and control system to guide road users ensuring safe movement of vehicles has been recommended and some of the facilities such as pedestrian crossings and median openings, acceleration and deceleration lanes were re-designed in order to improve the safety of the road and minimize the accidents