Data Mining Using the Crossing Minimization Paradigm

Our ability and capacity to generate, record and store multi-dimensional, apparently unstructured data is increasing rapidly, while the cost of data storage is going down. The data recorded is not perfect, as noise gets introduced in it from different sources. Some of the basic forms of noise are incorrect recording of values and missing values. The formal study of discovering useful hidden information in the data is called Data Mining. Because of the size, and complexity of the problem, practical data mining problems are best attempted using automatic means. Data Mining can be categorized into two types i.e. supervised learning or classification and unsupervised learning or clustering. Clustering only the records in a database (or data matrix) gives a global view of the data and is called one-way clustering. For a detailed analysis or a local view, biclustering or co-clustering or two-way clustering is required involving the simultaneous clustering of the records and the attributes. In this dissertation, a novel fast and white noise tolerant data mining solution is proposed based on the Crossing Minimization (CM) paradigm; the solution works for one-way as well as two-way clustering for discovering overlapping biclusters. For decades the CM paradigm has traditionally been used for graph drawing and VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) circuit design for reducing wire length and congestion. The utility of the proposed technique is demonstrated by comparing it with other biclustering techniques using simulated noisy, as well as real data from Agriculture, Biology and other domains. Two other interesting and hard problems also addressed in this dissertation are (i) the Minimum Attribute Subset Selection (MASS) problem and (ii) Bandwidth Minimization (BWM) problem of sparse matrices. The proposed CM technique is demonstrated to provide very convincing results while attempting to solve the said problems using real public domain data. Pakistan is the fourth largest supplier of cotton in the world. An apparent anomaly has been observed during 1989-97 between cotton yield and pesticide consumption in Pakistan showing unexpected periods of negative correlation. By applying the indigenous CM technique for one-way clustering to real Agro-Met data (2001-2002), a possible explanation of the anomaly has been presented in this thesis

The Question of Palestine and the Muslim World

The question of Palestine (and the city of Jerusalem) is a core issue that remains at the centre of the Muslim mind in our time. This is because most Muslims feel that the Zionist Movement created the State of Israel in Palestine after World War II by depriving the local population of their fundamental right to exist in their ancestral homeland. The global Zionist Movement conspired, resorted to terrorist tactics and executed an ethnic cleansing campaign to create the State of Israel. The Zionists first secured the support of British politicians and then the American leaders in favour of their search for an exclusive Jewish state covering the entirety of the former British Mandate of Palestine. Although the Palestinians – like Muslims in various parts of the world – quickly developed a national consciousness in the inter-war period and tried to protect their fundamental rights, they were no match for the Zionists who had already secured the support of major powers of the globe (e.g. Britain and the US). Later, Israel managed to obtain UN membership in its third attempt with the commitment to allow all Palestinians to return to their ancestral home. But in practice, Israel has ignored all UN resolutions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel has gradually developed a legal framework to deny the citizenship rights of the original population of Palestine and continues to build new Jewish settlements by demolishing Palestinian homes. While the Palestinians continue to suffer under Israeli repression, the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) and most Muslim governments have largely abandoned the Palestinian cause of liberation. This, in turn, frustrates much of the Muslim youth around the world – fuelling fundamentalism and extremism. 

The Effects of Prohibition of Non-Audit Services on the Audit Quality and Fees: A Study on Bangladesh

In this paper we have tried to find an answer to the question: does the prohibition of non-audit services affect the audit quality and audit fees in Bangladesh. A questionnaire survey was used to pick-up opinions from a sample of auditors who are working at Big-4 and non-Big-4 audit firms. The results suggest that preventing joint NAS and audit services will lead to the decrease in the number of auditors who provide audit services and hence audit fees would increase. Furthermore, auditors select NAS on the account of audit services due to the less effort required and the higher income gained. It is expected that audit services will be carried out by small audit firms of less experienced and unqualified staff. Demographics as auditors’ academic degree and experience have influenced the respondent auditors’ perceptions on some of the questions. It was found that type of audit firm has no impact on auditors’ perceptions, where all auditors expressed the same views on the impact of the NAS on the audit fees and the audit quality.  It is hope that the findings of this study would pave the way for policy setters to find out the mechanisms that would help in controlling audit fees and ensure a high level of audit quality in the audit market of Bangladesh. Keywords: Auditing, non-audit services, audit quality, audit fees, Bangladesh

Problems of Eurocentric Views of History: An Examination of Certain Elementary Views about Colonialism in the Muslim World

The 2011 Arab uprising have taken observers by surprise. Many expressed similar bewilderment over three decades ago when a revolutionary wave had shaken Iran. Why are the "pundits" of international politics so confused about the Muslim world? A student of history must ask why "experts" trained in social sciences and humanities have failed to envisage these events. In our opinion this has happened because of the Eurocentric view of history, particularly due to the misreading of the history of colonialism in the Muslim world. This paper examines the European historiography on the subject and explains the root cause problem. It concentrates on two issues: the question of economic exploitation and depence of the Muslim world on colonial powers and the question of Muslim commitment to identity and loyalty in the modern world. On the first question we would argue that Muslim world was made subservient to Europe by coercion and on the second, we wolud demonstrate that unlike Europe, Muslims never abandoned their ummah identity consciousness during and sfter their struggles for nationhood

Breast reconstruction at The Aga Khan University - a 10 year audit

Abstract Considering the high incidence of breast cancer and the subsequent need for a mastectomy, the number of patients having breastreconstruction remains relatively low the world over. Most studies from the west show that anywhere between 5% to around 50% of women proceed to reconstruction following a complete mastectomy. There is a great paucity of literature on the subject in Pakistan. Anecdotal and unofficial accounts would suggest that less than a fraction of 1% of women in Pakistan undergo reconstruction following a mastectomy.We reviewed our cases retrospectively over a 10 year study period from January 2005 to December 2014 with the objective to assess our results and to learn from them as well as to attempt to raise the profile of this important reconstructive manoeuver. Our numbers are low when compared internationally. However on a national level it would seem that the numbers currently exceed most institutions in the country. The overall results appear to be acceptable though the low numbers preclude definitive conclusions

The clash of civilizations thesis and Muslims: the search for an alternative paradigm

The clash of civilizations thesis, first formulated by Bernard Lewis and popularized by Samuel Huntington in the 1990s was, in the course of time, embraced by President George W. Bush for execution, virtually making it the cornerstone of US foreign policy during the early years of the 21st century. The situation thus created has pushed the Muslim world to the centre-stage of international politics. An in-depth analysis, however, finds the thesis to be seriously flawed. Despite differences, Islamic and Western transparency and freedom of choice. The idea of a clash between these two civilizations appears to be based on misapprehension of certain events in history and its implications for world peace are simply horrendous. Luckily there are indications that the new American administration under President Obama seems to have realized the essential flaw of the clash civilizations thesis. The present article ventures to explore the outlines of an alternative paradigm that might pave the ground for peaceful civilizational co-existence

Data mining using the crossing minimization paradigm

Our ability and capacity to generate, record and store multi-dimensional, apparently unstructured data is increasing rapidly, while the cost of data storage is going down. The data recorded is not perfect, as noise gets introduced in it from different sources. Some of the basic forms of noise are incorrect recording of values and missing values. The formal study of discovering useful hidden information in the data is called Data Mining. Because of the size, and complexity of the problem, practical data mining problems are best attempted using automatic means. Data Mining can be categorized into two types i.e. supervised learning or classification and unsupervised learning or clustering. Clustering only the records in a database (or data matrix) gives a global view of the data and is called one-way clustering. For a detailed analysis or a local view, biclustering or co-clustering or two-way clustering is required involving the simultaneous clustering of the records and the attributes. In this dissertation, a novel fast and white noise tolerant data mining solution is proposed based on the Crossing Minimization (CM) paradigm; the solution works for one-way as well as two-way clustering for discovering overlapping biclusters. For decades the CM paradigm has traditionally been used for graph drawing and VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) circuit design for reducing wire length and congestion. The utility of the proposed technique is demonstrated by comparing it with other biclustering techniques using simulated noisy, as well as real data from Agriculture, Biology and other domains. Two other interesting and hard problems also addressed in this dissertation are (i) the Minimum Attribute Subset Selection (MASS) problem and (ii) Bandwidth Minimization (BWM) problem of sparse matrices. The proposed CM technique is demonstrated to provide very convincing results while attempting to solve the said problems using real public domain data. Pakistan is the fourth largest supplier of cotton in the world. An apparent anomaly has been observed during 1989-97 between cotton yield and pesticide consumption in Pakistan showing unexpected periods of negative correlation. By applying the indigenous CM technique for one-way clustering to real Agro-Met data (2001-2002), a possible explanation of the anomaly has been presented in this thesis.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Treatment of Scoliosis by Hartshill Rectangle and Sublaminar Wiring

Background: Scoliosis is a complex three dimensional deformity characterized by coronal, sagittal and horizontal plane deviation. Treatment of scoliosis has made significant development in techniques and modalities of internal fixation. Objective: To see the efficacy of Hartshill rectangle and sublaminar wiring for correction of scoliotic deformity, clinical outcome and patients satisfaction. Methods: During the period of July 2008 to June 2011, 14 patients of scoliotic spinal deformities of various etiologies (Congenital-02, idiopathic-12) were operated. Age ranged from 11 to 23 years with mean 16.71 ± 03.22 years. Female 09 and male 05 patients were included where Hartshill rectangles with sublaminar wiring were used for every case. Results: At least 12 months (range 12-36 months) follow up regarding clinico-radiological evaluation and patients satisfaction were accounted as per the SRS-24 questionnaire. The mean scoliosis in the coronal plane (Cobbs angle) measured 53.50o ± 03.98o preoperatively reducing significantly to 21.14o ± 02.77o (p<0.05) and the mean preoperative sagittal plane angle 60.14o ± 07.30o reducing significantly to average 42.14o ± 05.28o (p<0.05) at 1 year as determined by paired t-test. No neurological complication was seen except transient hyperesthesia in 02 patients, superficial wound infection in 01 patient and 01 wire breakage. All the patients were happy to live with their present back status. Conclusion: Overall outcome in segmental spinal fixation with sublaminar wire and Hartshill rectangle is satisfactory and effective.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bsmmuj.v5i1.10981 BSMMU J 2012; 5(1):6-1