Pairwise Stability in Two Sided Market with Strictly Increasing Valuation Functions

This paper deals with two-sided matching market with two disjoint sets, i.e. the set of buyers and the set of sellers. Each seller can trade with at most with one buyer and vice versa. Money is transferred from sellers to buyers for an indivisible goods that buyers own. Valuation functions, for participants of both sides, are represented by strictly increasing functions with money considered as discrete variable. An algorithm is devised to prove the existence of stability for this model.Comment: 10 pages, no figure

Role of agriculture in economic growth of Pakistan

This research based on the role of agriculture in the economic growth of Pakistan. Secondary data has been collected from the year 1980-2010 from the government authentic websites. For this purpose simple regression applied to identify the significance relationship of agricultural sub-sectors with GDP. Results suggested that there is the significance role of agriculture sub-sectors towards the economic growth only forestry showed insignificant relationship with GDP. Another objective is based on to know the contribution of each sub-sector over the aggregate agriculture amount. Result suggest that crops and livestock’s total contribute 91% combined in the aggregate agriculture sector that represent significance contribution for the performance regarding in this sector while fisheries and forestry have minimal contribution because of many reasons, major reasons involved low investment intensity in this sector, insufficient facilities, untrained and unskillful labor force engaged with it.Economic growth, major crops, minor crops, Livestock, forestry, fisheries, Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Flexible and Scalable Public Key Security for SSH

A standard tool for secure remote access, the SSH protocol uses public-key cryptography to establish an encrypted and integrity-protected channel with a remote server. However, widely-deployed implementations of the protocol are vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks, where an adversary substitutes her public key for the server\u27s. This danger particularly threatens a traveling user Bob borrowing a client machine. Imposing a traditional X.509 PKI on all SSH servers and clients is neither flexible nor scalable nor (in the foreseeable future) practical. Requiring extensive work or an SSL server at Bob\u27s site is also not practical for many users. This paper presents our experiences designing and implementing an alternative scheme that solves the public-key security problem in SSH without requiring such an a priori universal trust structure or extensive sysadmin work--although it does require a modified SSH client. (The code is available for public download.

Advanced Colloidal Systems for Targeted Chemotherapy

The current project gave a detailed insight of surface modification of different advance colloidal systems along with their in vitro and in vivo targeting capabilities. Three different colloidal systems (nanoparticles, microparticles and liposomes) were evaluated for their efficacies and consistencies in results. The introduction contains an overview for the passive and active targeting of chemotherapeutic agents with different colloidal systems. Different methods of preparation and characterization of these colloidal systems were reviewed. This formed the root level for the use of these formulations in the current project. Furthermore, a brief introduction about aptamers and different examples of targeting molecules was also given to elaborate on aptamers’ specific nature. This provided the basis of surface modification of colloidal formulations with aptamer of interest. Sorafenib tosylate (SFB) was selected as a chemotherapeutic agent because it has low solubility and low bioavailability. Its LogP value is 4.54 with biopharmaceutical classification systems class IV. Systemic toxicity due to non-specific drug delivery is also issues with the use of SFB. Another problem associated with the use of this chemotherapeutic agent is the development of drug resistance after consecutive administrations. Therefore, the current study was designed to improve the efficiency of cancer therapy using sorafenib-loaded colloidal systems coupled with anti-ErbB3-aptamer (Apt). There first part of result and discussion included characterization of SFB-loaded PLGA matrix systems i.e. nanoparticles and microparticles. The encapsulation efficiencies revealed the loading of the drug inside these carrier systems. The physicochemical investigation by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis and fluorescence analysis elaborated the success of surface modification of these systems with Apt. Furthermore, morphological analysis by atomic force and scanning electron microscopy supported these results and showed an optimal surface roughness profile for cell surface interactions. Cell culture studies showed a positive impact of the combination of SFB and Apt. The presence of SFB and Apt together showed maximum cytotoxicities compared to other formulations. Dose-dependent toxicities were demonstrated using the cell viability assay. Moreover, time-dependent formulation delivery, to the cytoplasm and subsequently to the nuclear membrane, was observed by CLSM visualization. Higher reactive oxygen species production was observed in the presence of both SFB and Apt as compared to blank formulations. However, the aptamer alone did not significantly induce ROS production. Upon treatment of the cells with different concentration of particles, a significant dose-dependent ROS production was noticed. The metastatic inhibition by the particles, especially those with SFB and Apt was evident from the scratch test. The absence of both SFB and Apt resulted in complete healing of wound within 24 h. Ex vivo hemolysis studies demonstrated the hemocompatibility of the PLGA matrices, thus mimicking in vivo safety of these formulations. The presence of SFB as well Apt did not change the hemolytic potential of formulations to much extent. All the formulations were more hemocampatible as compared to pure drug. Moreover, RBC aggregation test showed no profound change in the morphology of RBCs. In vivo assessment by the blood profiles along with serum biochemistry stamped the safety of the formulation. Nevertheless, heart and liver-specific toxicities were evident in the presence of SFB and Apt but the overall body visceral index was normal. Results and discussion also included characterization of SFB-loaded liposomes. The physicochemical investigation of the liposomes using dynamic light scattering and laser Doppler velocimetry revealed nearly monomodel size range from 121 nm to 155 nm suitable for cellular internalization. However, the presence of SFB and Apt influenced the hydrodynamic diameters and zeta potentials of formulations. Furthermore, morphological characteristics were described by atomic force microscopy and showed optimal sizes and surface roughness profile for cell surface interactions. Synergistic dose-dependent cytotoxicities were demonstrated using SFB and Apt in liposomes in 2D cell culture techniques. The evaluation of toxicity was also visualized in 3D cell cultures and revealed a decrease in 3D culture sizes. This effect was also evident in apoptosis assay showing nuclear condensation as a possible mechanism of cell death. The presence of surface-modified liposomes, inside cells was visualized using CLSM. These investigations showed the presence of liposomes inside the cell, especially near the nuclear region (co-localization coefficient; 0.4-0.7). In order to analyze the in vivo safety as well as the transfection potential of surface modified liposomes the chorioallantoic membrane model (CAM) was used. The presence of these formulations in the mesoderm of the CAM was visualized by CLSM. No evidence of clear toxicity was observed on the development of the embryo. Furthermore, the hemocompatibility studies of liposomes also demonstrated the safety of these formulations when compared to pure drug. Therefore, the combination of chemotherapeutic agent and aptamer together with colloidal drug delivery systems will pave the way to a powerful tool in anticancer therapies. Moreover, the presence of aptamer will also solve the problems of side effects of chemotherapeutic agents by specifically delivering the drug to resistant tumors

EFFECTIVENESS OF WEB 2.0 TECHNOLOGIES IN DISTANCE LEARNING

In the present research an attempt has been made to explore the “Effectiveness of Web 2.0 Technologies in Distance Learning”. Web 2.0 skills had a significant positive outcome on academic achievement of learners. Objectives of this study were to explore the potential role of web 2.0 technologies in Distant Learning System (DLS), to find out the problems in adopting emerging hi-tech trends for distance learners and to conduct an analysis of effectiveness of web 2.0 technologies. The study was experimental in nature. The pretest-posttest equivalent groups design was used for the treatment. The population of this study comprisesd of 89 students enrolled in M.Phill Education Couse Code No. 3705 for semester Spring-2014. The study sample was divided into two equal groups that are; experimental and control groups, the experimental group was observed in a test of statistical significance. On the basis of the research finding, it was concluded that the web 2.0 tools were more effective than ordinary technologies in the increasing average academic achievement of distance learners and web skills were more helpful in refining average problem solving proficiencies of distance learners as compared with traditional strategies

Artificial Intelligence Application in Machine Condition Monitoring and Fault Diagnosis

The subject of machine condition monitoring and fault diagnosis as a part of system maintenance has gained a lot of interest due to the potential benefits to be learned from reduced maintenance budgets, enhanced productivity and improved machine availability. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a successful method of machine condition monitoring and fault diagnosis since these techniques are used as tools for routine maintenance. This chapter attempts to summarize and review the recent research and developments in the field of signal analysis through artificial intelligence in machine condition monitoring and fault diagnosis. Intelligent systems such as artificial neural network (ANN), fuzzy logic system (FLS), genetic algorithms (GA) and support vector machine (SVM) have previously developed many different methods. However, the use of acoustic emission (AE) signal analysis and AI techniques for machine condition monitoring and fault diagnosis is still rare. In the future, the applications of AI in machine condition monitoring and fault diagnosis still need more encouragement and attention due to the gap in the literature

SUCCESS OF BRAND EXTENSION IN GLOCALIZATION: A MEDIATION AND MODERATION ANALYSIS

This paper investigates whether brand extension strategy canbe used in glocalized markets and what are the antecedents (Mediating and Moderating variables) of successful brand extension. Glocalization has become a serious concern for managers that as have to manage the global brands with local trends and local brands in global trends. Four independent variables were used while the dependent variable was“Successful brand extension evaluation”. A self developed questionnaire was filled by 462 respondents by unrestricted non-random sampling.Hierarchical regression, Single Mediation and Moderation tests were applied on the data. Brand loyalty leads to become Brand evangelist.Brand Evangelist as mediating variable mediates the relationshipbetween Brand Loyalty and Successful Brand Extension Evaluation. Also, Parent Brand Experience in the past significantly moderates the relationship between Marketing Support and Successful Brand Extension Evaluation was accepted with Enhancing Moderation

Future vertex detector for open charm measurements with the NA61/SHINE experiment at CERN SPS

A studies related to the future Vertex Detector (VD) for the D_{0} meson (open charm) measurements in the NA61/SHINE experiment at the CERN SPS are presented. The VD will allow for precise track reconstruction at the target proximity. The measurement of D_{0} mesons provide a unique opportunity to test the validity of perturbative QCD-based and statistical models of nucleus–nucleus collisions at SPS energies. Moreover, the production and propagation of charm in heavy-ion collisions is sensitive to the high-density effects and phase transitions. These measurements will be a challenging adventure due to the low multiplicity and short life time of D_{0} mesons. This study also addresses the issue of VD optimization and the emphasis is put on the prospect of the development of a VD based on CMOS technology

NA61/SHINE experiment upgrade with vertex detector for open charm measurements

The feasibility study of direct open charm measurements by its decay into two daughter particles, pion and kaon, in central Pb-Pb collision at SPS energies of 158 AGeV and 40 AGeV, shows that such measurements are viable at NA61/SHINE experiment if it is supplemented with a dedicated Vertex Detector (VD). We use AMPT (A Multi-Phase Transport model) event generator to generate the physical input for simulation and employed GEANT4 application to describe particle transport through the experimental setup. The VD will allow for precise track reconstruction at the target proximity. The direct open charm measurements will be a challenging due to the low production yield and short life time of D^{0} mesons. The obtained results are based on the predicted yields of D^{0} meson by Hadron String Dynamic (HSD) model. This study also addresses the issue of VD optimization and the emphasis is put on the prospect of the development of a VD based on CMOS technology