Joint optimisation of privacy and cost of in-app mobile user profiling and targeted ads

Online mobile advertising ecosystems provide advertising and analytics services that collect, aggregate, process and trade rich amount of consumer's personal data and carries out interests-based ads targeting, which raised serious privacy risks and growing trends of users feeling uncomfortable while using internet services. In this paper, we address user's privacy concerns by developing an optimal dynamic optimisation cost-effective framework for preserving user privacy for profiling, ads-based inferencing, temporal apps usage behavioral patterns and interest-based ads targeting. A major challenge in solving this dynamic model is the lack of knowledge of time-varying updates during profiling process. We formulate a mixed-integer optimisation problem and develop an equivalent problem to show that proposed algorithm does not require knowledge of time-varying updates in user behavior. Following, we develop an online control algorithm to solve equivalent problem using Lyapunov optimisation and to overcome difficulty of solving nonlinear programming by decomposing it into various cases and achieve trade-off between user privacy, cost and targeted ads. We carry out extensive experimentations and demonstrate proposed framework's applicability by implementing its critical components using POC `System App'. We compare proposed framework with other privacy protecting approaches and investigate that it achieves better privacy and functionality for various performance parameters

Individual, organizational, technological and industry factors effects on innovation capability of dairy SMEs in Pakistan : knowledge sharing as mediated

Existing literature reveals a gap in the empirical knowledge on innovation capability in the dairy sector of Punjab, Pakistan. Innovation capability is a key player in the growth and success of a business. Therefore, the major objective of this study was to examine the mediating role of knowledge sharing on trust, motivation, training & development, supervisor support, ICT use, and industry cluster resources with innovation capability of the dairy sector. This research contributes to the growth of GDP through the dairy sector. The research framework in the study was based on the diffusion of innovation and the resource- based view theories. The data were collected from dairy farm owners and managers in the study locality, i.e. Punjab, Pakistan. The study instrument was 410 self- administered questionnaires which were distributed to the dairy farm mangers/owners through the simple random sampling technique. 254 valid questionnaires were used for the analysis. The SPSS and SMART PLS 3.0 were used for the basic screening of the raw data and testing the hypothetical statements. The study found that motivation, training & development, supervisor support and industry cluster resources have positive significant impacts on knowledge- sharing. Furthermore, motivation, training & development, ICT used and industry cluster resources also have positive impacts on innovation capability; and knowledge- sharing mediated the relationship between motivation, training & development, supervisor support and innovation capability. The results of the study provide important insights to outcome, policy- makers and researchers to further understand the effects of the innovation capability of dairy SMEs (small medium enterprises) in Pakistan. This study suggested that managers and owners of dairy farms must provide motivation, training & development and supervisor support to enhance the innovation capability of dairy workers

Salinity and sodicity influence on Taramira (Eruca sativa), A medicinal crop

Seeds of Taramira (Eruca sativa) as medicinal plant were sown in a pot study under various salinity cum sodicity levels. Out of different levels tested, 4 dSm-1+ 13.5 (mmol L-1)1/2 treatment got maximum biomass yield (34 gpot-1). It was declined due to salinity increase. At 10 dSm-1 + 30 (mmol L-1)1/2 minimum biomass yield (22.33 gpot-1) was gotten. Results also indicated decrease (%) of biomass yield over lowest level of salinity cum sodicity. Least reduction % over control (15.73) was attained by 5 dSm-1 + 25 (mmol L-1)1/2 treatment showing better tolerance. Growth least reduction % over control was ranging from 15.73% to 34.32% due to toxic salts. This variation was linked with toxic influence of salts on plant growth. At the nutshell, Taramaria (Eruca sativa) was produced maximum growth under 4 dSm-1+ 13.5 (mmol L-1)1/2

RACIALIZED OTHER IN AFGHAN FICTION: IMPETUS FOR RACIAL DEHUMANIZATION IN KHALED HOSSEINI’S THE KITE RUNNER

This research study aims to explore the sociocultural analysis ofdehumanization in Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner. The findings of thisstudy show that Hazaras are dehumanized by Pashtuns for a few reasonsamong which the most important reason is their historical background. Thestudy highlights that other reasons for the dehumanization of Hazaras byPashtuns are their low economic and less powerful status, the difference inreligious beliefs, physical appearance, immigrant status, and illiterateness.This study explores that these incidents made Hazaras subordinatedpolitically, socially, economically as well as religiously. Based onSociocultural theory, this article uses a methodological approach based onclose textual reading to analyze the narrative structure of the novel. Usingclose textual reading analysis, this article investigates how Hazaras areothered in society. As a result of these incidents, Hazaras are completelyothered in society which is depicted by Khalid Hosseini in the novel throughthe prejudice and negative behaviors of Pashtun characters towards Hazaras.The Repercussion of dehumanization can be examined in The Kite Runnerwritten by Khaled Hosseini (2003). The after-effects of the dehumanization ofHazaras by Pashtuns resulted in racial discrimination, dehumanization,sexual abuse, religious conflict, socio-political conflict, and economic conflict.The repercussion of dehumanization can be observed in the novel throughdifferent characters such as Ali, Hassan, Baba, Sanaubar, and Sohrab.Through these different characters, the Hazaras are presented as enslaved byPashtuns, objectified, sexually abused, and dehumanized for no good reasonbut racial differences

Application of data science for controlling energy crises: A case study of Pakistan

© 2019 Association for Computing Machinery. Today Pakistan is facing numerous challenges for the interconnection of local energy resources and for balanced energy policies. Data Science, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), IoT and Cloud computing draws our focus towards controlling energy crises in terms of smart energy generation, consumption and to overcome causes of energy crises. To make a conclusion valuable we have to extract significant value from a large amount of data that‟s why data management plays a significant role. This Paper presents a review of energy sectors, energy resources, energy crises in Pakistan. It also presents the possible solution of energy crises with the help of data science application and the involvement of Big Data, Cloud computing, IoT and AI

Efeito da depleção de MAP-Quinases em Trypanosoma brucei

Orientador : Prof. Dr. Marco Aurélio KriegerCo-orientador : Prof. Dr. Fabrício Klerynton MarchiniTese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular. Defesa: Curitiba, 29/08/2013Inclui referênciasÀrea de concentração: Biologia celular e molecularResumo: Os Tripanossomatídeos possuem um ciclo de vida complexo, alternando entre os ambientes distintos encontrados nos seus hospedeiros. Os mecanismos envolvidos na resposta do parasita às mudanças do ambiente ainda são pouco conhecidos, apesar de muito estudados. Dentre estes mecanismos, a fosforilação de proteínas possui um papel fundamental nas adaptações do parasita ao meio. Alguns dados, como a ausência de tirosino-quinases no genoma, a super representação de famílias de quinases, a existência de proteíno-quinases únicas, entre outros, evidenciam o processo de fosforilação como um tópico de grande interesse em Tripanossomatídeos. O protozoário Trypanosoma brucei possui 176 proteínoquinases, divididas em diversas famílias, sendo que uma das mais bem estudadas, devido à sua posição central em processos biológicos essenciais, é o das quinases ativadas por mitógeno (MAPK). Tem sido descrita a participação destas proteínas em processos como divisão e diferenciação celular, resposta ao estresse celular, entre outros. No entanto, pouco é conhecido sobre a influência destas quinases na sinalização celular dos Tripanossomatídeos. Diante disso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência da depleção de MAPKs sobre T. brucei. Dentre os resultados obtidos está a realização de curvas de crescimento, onde se verificou diminuição na proliferação celular em quase metade dos knockdowns analisados. O proteoma, fosfoproteoma e transcriptoma de um dos knockdowns (Tb927.10.10870) foi avaliado quantitativamente por proteômica baseada em espectrometria de massas combinada com marcação metabólica por SILAC e por RNA-Seq. No total, 1.511 proteínas, 1.510 sítios de fosforilação e cerca de 12 milhões de reads foram obtidos. Apesar da forte diminuição na proliferação celular deste knockdown, foi evidenciada pouca modulação no proteoma, fosfoproteoma e transcriptoma, indicando uma robustez na via de sinalização em estudo, corroborando com estudos publicados. Dentre as proteínas que sofreram modulação, aproximadamente um terço está relacionado à funções mitocondriais. Os sítios de fosforilação modulados após depleção da MAPK em estudo pertencem a proteínas com diferentes funções, no entanto com uma predominância de proteínas associadas à estabilização / degradação de mRNAs. A fim de se avaliar a interação entre os membros da via das MAPKs de T. brucei, fez-se a análise das interações através de duplo híbrido. Das 1.024 interações testadas, 22 foram positivas. A comparação com as interações entre os ortólogos destas proteínas, descritas em organismos modelo, não demonstrou sobreposição de nenhuma das interações positivas. Os resultados deste trabalho podem conduzir novos experimentos a fim de melhor compreender a via de sinalização das MAPKs no Tripanossomatídeos.Abstract: Trypanosomatids have a complex life cycle switching between different hosts. In this way, they find distinct environments where quick adaptation is needed. Among the cell signaling mechanisms, protein phosphorylation, driven by protein kinases and protein phosphatases, is an important process with potential to supply this necessity. Some finds on Trypanosomatids' genomes, such as, the absence of dedicated tyrosine or tyrosine kinase-like receptors, the over-representation of some kinase groups, the presence of unique kinases, and other, highlight the phosphorylation in Trypanosomatids as a hot spot topic. The flagellate parasite Trypanosoma brucei possesses 176 protein kinases classified in many families, among them, the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPKs) family. Several publications have been documented the participation of this family in processes like cellular division and differentiation, in response to stress conditions, and other. Nevertheless little is known about its function in Trypanosomatids. In this sense, this work aimed to evaluate the effects of MAPK depletion on T. brucei. As a start point, the participation of MAPKs in the cellular proliferation was addressed. The results showed that almost a half of MAPK knockdowns had the cell proliferation rate affected. One of these knockdowns (Tb927.10.10870) was also quantitatively analyzed at the level of proteins, phosphoproteins, and mRNA transcripts by mass spectrometry based proteomics combined with metabolic labeling (SILAC) and by RNA-Seq. In total, 1,511 proteins, 1,510 phosphorylation sites, and nearly of 12 million of reads were identified. Despite the cell proliferation rate was strongly affected in this knockdown, few modulations in the proteome, phosphoproteome or transcriptome was observed. In consonance with other works, this could represent the robustness of MAPK signaling pathway in Trypanosomatids. Between the few modulations is worthy of note some mitochondrial proteins and phosphorylation sites on proteins related to mRNA stability control. As the MAPKs act in phosphorylation cascades, we also evaluate the interaction between the members of this signaling pathway by two hybrid assay. Among the 1,024 tested interactions, 22 were positive, showing no overlap with the interactions described for their ortologues in model organisms. Take together, the finds of this work have the potential to drive future projects in order to well understand the MAPK signaling pathway in Trypanosomatids

Painful ambivalence: A Marxist feminist analysis of moral anxiety and gendered class consciousness in “The Garden Party”

Through the utilization of Marxist feminist literary theory, the current article analyzes Catherine Mansfield's "The Garden Party" to examine the interconnected themes of class consciousness, gender, and social injustice. With a specific focus on the protagonist, Laura Sheridan, and her gradually evolving awareness of class, the article examines the narrative's suburban New Zealand setting and the social hierarchy between the affluent Sheridans and their less fortunate neighbors. The luxurious garden party serves as a poignant reminder of the upper class's disconnection from society and their condescending attitudes towards individuals of lower status. In addition to this, the article delves into gender and its effects on the characters' experiences and expectations. Its objective is to gain an understanding of the social realities of the time through the theoretical lens of Marxist feminism and address the pressing concerns of that era. Specifically, the article examines how Laura's representation of class consciousness reflects the societal power dynamics of the time, how the intersection of gender and class influences Laura's mixed feelings about the class system in her social environment, and how "The Garden Party" demonstrates the impact of class and gender on social hierarchies and power structures in the early twentieth century. The article draws attention to the pressing social concerns of the time. It demonstrates how the theoretical lens of Marxist feminism can aid in understanding the social realities of the past

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, biological screening and POM analysis of potentially bioactive copper(II) carboxylate complexes

ABSTRACT. Here we are reporting the synthesis, characterization of four novel copper(II) complexes with carboxylate ligand and their evaluation for biological applications. The complexes have general formulas C22H18CuN4O12, C32H26CuN6O12, C27H23CuN5O12 and C34H26CuN6O12. The synthesized complexes were characterized by FT-IR and elemental analyses carried out through EDX. The deprotonation of the carboxylate ligand, 4-(2-methoxy-5-nitrophenylamino)-4-oxobut-2-enoic acid, was observed in FT-IR spectrum, indicating that complexation happens via the carboxylate moiety's oxygen. In complexes 1 and 3, the value of Δν value is in between 120-180 cm-1 showing the bridging mode of the carboxylate moiety while in complexes 2 and 4, its value is greater than 180 cm-1 indicating the monodentate binding mode. The findings of antimicrobial activity revealed that the complexes have adequate antibacterial and antifungal properties. The anti-promastigote analysis results showed that the complexes 1 and 4 have significant activity as compared to the standard drug. The binding mode of complexes with DNA was confirmed by UV-Visible spectroscopy and viscosity measurements and the results showed that complexes interact with DNA through intercalative mode. A new and efficient strategy was applied through POM (Petra, Osiris and Molinspiration) analyses for determining the toxicity assessment, bio-availability and drug score of the synthesized complexes. The results showed that the complexes have good bioavailability and drug scores.                 KEY WORDS: Copper(II) carboxylate complex, DNA binding, Anti-promastigote analysis, Cytotoxicity, POM analysis, Docking study Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2022, 36(1), 57-71.                                                                     DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v36i1.6 &nbsp