New optimization methods in predictive control

This thesis is mainly concerned with the efficient solution of a linear discrete-time finite horizon optimal control problem (FHOCP) with quadratic cost and linear constraints on the states and inputs. In predictive control, such a FHOCP needs to be solved online at each sampling instant. In order to solve such a FHOCP, it is necessary to solve a quadratic programming (QP) problem. Interior point methods (IPMs) have proven to be an efficient way of solving quadratic programming problems. A linear system of equations needs to be solved in each iteration of an IPM. The ill-conditioning of this linear system in the later iterations of the IPM prevents the use of an iterative method in solving the linear system due to a very slow rate of convergence; in some cases the solution never reaches the desired accuracy. A new well-conditioned IPM, which increases the rate of convergence of the iterative method is proposed. The computational advantage is obtained by the use of an inexact Newton method along with the use of novel preconditioners. A new warm-start strategy is also presented to solve a QP with an interior-point method whose data is slightly perturbed from the previous QP. The effectiveness of this warm-start strategy is demonstrated on a number of available online benchmark problems. Numerical results indicate that the proposed technique depends upon the size of perturbation and it leads to a reduction of 30-74% in floating point operations compared to a cold-start interior point method. Following the main theme of this thesis, which is to improve the computational efficiency of an algorithm, an efficient algorithm for solving the coupled Sylvester equation that arises in converting a system of linear differential-algebraic equations (DAEs) to ordinary differential equations is also presented. A significant computational advantage is obtained by exploiting the structure of the involved matrices. The proposed algorithm removes the need to solve a standard Sylvester equation or to invert a matrix. The improved performance of this new method over existing techniques is demonstrated by comparing the number of floating-point operations and via numerical examples

Antecedents and Outcomes of Intimate Co-creation: A Qualitative Inquiry

This qualitative research study aims at re-conceptualizing intimate co-creation on the basis of a qualitative data analysis. Hence, along with a latest conceptualization, theory of intimation co-creation has been empirically examined in this study. Based on the qualitative research approach of interpretive phenomenological analysis, qualitative data obtained from eight in-depth interviews was transcribed and coded in QDA Miner Lite software for analysis. Results found that five emerging themes represent the phenomenon of intimate co-creation. Furthermore, the contribution of this study was that a new research framework on intimate co-creation has been developed in which antecedents and potential outcomes of intimate co-creation have been identified. Propositions have been given as well to elaborate the relationship of antecedents and outcomes of intimate co-creation for future research direction

Where you end and I begin: A new scale development on intimate co-creation

Purpose: Built upon the theories of psychological ownership, personal intimacies, and interpersonal relationship; the concept of intimate co-creation was conceptually theorized in the recent management literature. Intimate co-creation typically occurs at the dyadic level often for the creative task engagements and has a spillover effect on groups and teams. However, there is no measurement scale on intimate co-creation available in the management literature. Methodology: The current study has addressed this literature gap by developing a new measurement scale on intimate co-creation. Best practices for new measurement scale development as available in the management literature were followed. A qualitative study was conducted first to determine the dimensional structure of intimate co-creation and an initial pool of 72 items. Scale development experts’ review of the measurement scale, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) abetted in finalizing a 14 items measurement scale with four dimensions of intimate co-creation. Findings: This new measurement scale development is a milestone for further empirical research on intimate co-creation as it is the first-ever measurement scale on intimate co-creation. Conclusion: This is the first-ever measurement scale on intimate co-creation that is available for future researchers to empirically validate the concept of intimate co-creatio

THE EFFECTS OF SEED SOAKING WITH PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS ON SEEDLING VIGOR OF WHEAT UNDER SALINITY STRESS

Effects of seed soaking with plant growth regulators (IAA, GA3, kinetin or prostart) on wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Auqab-2000) emergence and seedling growth under normal (4 dS/cm) and saline (15 dS/cm) conditions were studied to determine their usefulness in increasing relative salt-tolerance. During emergence test, emergence percentage and mean emergence time (MET) were significantly affected by most of priming treatments, however, root and shoot length, fresh and dry weight of seedlings were significantly increased by 25 ppm kinetin followed by 1% prostart for 2 h treatments under both normal and saline conditions. All pre-sowing seed treatments decreased the electrolyte leakage of steep water as compared to that of non-primed seeds even after 12 h of soaking. Seed soaking with 25 ppm kinetin induced maximum decrease in electrolyte leakage while an increase in electrolyte leakage was observed by 25, 50 or 100 ppm IAA treatments. It is concluded that priming has reduced the severity of the effect of salinity but the amelioration was better due to 25 ppm kinetin and 1% prostart (2 h) treatments as these showed best results on seedling growth, fresh and dry weights under non-saline and saline conditions whereas seed soaking with IAA and GA3 were not effective in inducing salt tolerance under present experimental material and conditions

Phenological and Morpological Traits of Sesame as Affected by Irrigation, Tillage Systems and Phousphours Levels

Despite the importance of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)  in the world, this crop has received only little research attention in Pakistan. Therefore, a field trail was conducted at New Developmental Farm of The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan during summer 2012. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement having three replications. Irrigation interval (9 days, 18 days and 27 days) and tillage system (conventional tillage with cultivator, deep tillage with chisel plough and shallow tillage with MBP) were allotted to main plots, while phosphorus levels (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg ha-1) were allotted to sub plots. Irrigation interval significantly affected all the parameters. Water supply at 9 days interval had delayed days to first flowering (50), maximum plant height (180 cm), branches plant-1 (10), capsule length (2.71 cm), leaves plant-1 (23) and stover yield (5667 kg ha-1) as compared with other irrigation intervals but first capsule distance from ground is recorded greater in 27 days irrigation interval. Tillage system had significant effects on all the parameters, except days to first flowering, capsule length, first capsule distance from ground and leaves plant-1. Conventional tillage produced maximum plant height (168 cm), branches plant-1 (9) and stover yield (5105 kg ha-1) as compared with deep and shallow tillage system. Phosphorus application had also significantly affected all parameters except days to first flowering. Plots treated with 60 kg P ha-1 produced maximum plant height (178 cm), branches plant-1(9), capsule length (2.68 cm), leaves plant-1 (21) and stover yield (5538 kg ha-1) as compared with control plots but first capsule distance from ground is greater in control plot. Application of water at 9 days interval with conventional tillage method and treated with 60 kg P ha-1 had maximum plant height, leaves plant-1 and stover yield. Keywords: Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), tillage systems, irrigation intervals, phousphours levels, phenology, morpholog

Reinvestigating the Role of Coal Consumption in Indian Economy: An ARDL and Causality analysis

The present study investigates the role of coal consumption on the economic growth in India from 1980-2016. We use panel data estimation techniques for long run and VECM Granger causality for short run analysis to find the direction of causality between coal consumption and economic growth. The model specification also incorporates the urbanization, labor, fiscal deficit and service sector value added. In long-run analysis, the results confirm the unidirectional relationship from economic growth to coal consumption. On contrary, in short-run, bidirectional causal relationship between coal consumption and Indian economic growth confirms that higher coal consumption supports the Indian economy through energy. Furthermore, bidirectional causality is confirmed between economic growth and population; besides, the results show the unidirectional causality from service sector to economic growth

Reinvestigating the Role of Coal Consumption in Indian Economy: An ARDL and Causality analysis

The present study investigates the role of coal consumption on the economic growth in India from 1980-2016. We use panel data estimation techniques for long run and VECM Granger causality for short run analysis to find the direction of causality between coal consumption and economic growth. The model specification also incorporates the urbanization, labor, fiscal deficit and service sector value added. In long-run analysis, the results confirm the unidirectional relationship from economic growth to coal consumption. On contrary, in short-run, bidirectional causal relationship between coal consumption and Indian economic growth confirms that higher coal consumption supports the Indian economy through energy. Furthermore, bidirectional causality is confirmed between economic growth and population; besides, the results show the unidirectional causality from service sector to economic growth

Impact of Transformation Leadership on Affective Employee’s Commitment

Highly motivated employees of an organization can prove their utility. There are various tools and methods by which employees motivational level can be enhanced. One of these tools is the transformational style of manger. In order to save time and money, this study is conducted in Lahore. 11 Banks (Private and Public) were selected for research purpose. The data was collected through questionnaire. A total of about 200 questionnaires were distributed among different employees, however only 150 employees of bank gave their response.so the response rate was 75 %. The study witnesses the positive and significant association between level of employee’s commitment with the organization and transformational leadership style. The research study recommended that mangers should make the best use of their transformational leadership styles in a bid to get the optimum output their employees. It will not only retain the existing employees but would also attract the new employee

Patient's Feedback Platform for Quality of Services via “Free Text Analysis” in Healthcare Industry

Data analysis of social media posting continues to offer a huge variety of information about the health situation faced by an individual. Social networking or social media websites provide us a wealth of information generated by users in a variety of domains, that generated information are unstructured and unlabeled and are not captured in an exceedingly systematic manner, as info generated is not humanly possible to process due to its size. One traditional way of collecting patients experience is by conducting surveys and questionnaires, as these methods ask fixed questions and are expensive to administer. In this paper, a patient feedback platform (PFP) using free text sentiment analysis is developed to computationally identify and categorize the polarity expressed in a piece of text. Six machine learning latest algorithms have been used as key evaluation for evaluating accuracy of the developed (PFP) model. Results achieved have shown 88 % accuracy on the basis of which it is recommended that developed (PFP) patient feedback platform could be used to improve E-health care services indeed

Sowing Dates and Sowing Methods Influenced on Growth Yiled and Yield Components of Pearl Millet under Rainfied Conditions

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of sowing dates and sowing methods on yield and yield components of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.). Therefore the field experiment was carried out at New Developmental Farm of The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan during summer 2012. The experiment was laid out in randomize complete block design having five replications. The treatments consisted of three sowing dates (20th June, 10th July and 30th July) and two sowing methods (Direct seeding and transplanting seedling) were used. Sowing dates were significant for all parameters. Crop sown on 20th June had the maximum  leaves plant-1 (93), plant height (230 cm), panicle length (26.3 cm), panicle weight (14.3 cm), grains panicle-1 (73.4), thousand grains weight (12.3 g) and grain yield (398 Kg ha-1) as compared with other sowing dates but panicle weight and grains panicle-1 were statistically at par with 10th July sowing. Transplanted crop had significantly maximum leaves plant-1 (81), plant height (208 cm), grains panicle-1 (64), thousand grains weight (11.2 g) and grain yield (297 Kg ha-1) as compared with direct sowing method. The interaction between sowing dates and sowing methods indicated that crop sown on 20th June through transplanted method had maximum panicle weight, grains panicle-1, thousand grains weight and grain yield. It was concluded from this study that millet sown on 20th June with transplanted method seems to the best choice for millet producer under rainfied condition in Peshawar valley. Keywords: Pennisetum glaucum, growth, yield, sowing methods, sowing date