Mosaicking with MOPEX

We present MOPEX - a software package for image mosaicking and point source extraction. MOPEX has been developed for the pitzer Space Telescope. This paper concentrates on the mosaicking aspects of the package. MOPEX features the use of several interpolation techniques, coaddition schemes, and robust and flexible outlier detection based on spatial and temporal filtering. A number of original algorithms have been designed and implemented in MOPEX. Among them is direct plane-to-plane coordinate transformation, which allows at least an order of magnitude speed up in performing coordinate transformation by bypassing the sky coordinates. The dual outlier detection makes possible outlier detection in the areas of even minimal redundancy. Image segmentation based on adaptive thresholding is used for object detection, which is part of outlier detection. Efficient use of computer memory allows mosaicking of data sets of very deep coverage of thousands of images per pointing, as well as areas of sky covering many square degrees. Although designed for Spitzer data, MOPEX does not require any Spitzer-specific fits header keywords to run, and can be applied to other data, that have standard header information on the image geometry and pointing. The package is available for distribution at http://ssc.spitzer.caltech.edu/postbcd/

Perception of Students on Tablet and Laptop Distribution Scheme of U.P. Government

If the 18th century is characterized as the age of reason, the 19th as one of industry and the 20th as revolution then the 21th century could well be known as the age of ICT. This is the time when more youth everywhere are involved in acquiring new knowledge and skills continuously throughout their lives and from virtually every context of daily life. This study aims at studying the effectiveness of a program of the government through students’ perception. The scheme aimed at providing free tablet and laptops to the high school and senior secondary government school graduates. The sample consisted of 200 secondary and senior secondary boys and girls. The overall results revealed that there is favourable perception of students towards tablet and laptop distribution scheme of U.P. Government. Students’ perception on the bases of level of schooling (level 1-class 10th and level 2-class 12th), gender and locale was also examined in the present study

Effect of fluoxetine and paroxetine on intestinal motility

Background: Serotonin (5-HT) is a biogenic amine that functions as a neurotransmitter of sensorimotor functions in the digestive tract. Te role of 5-HT agents in the modulation of lower gastrointestinal function. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are of potential benefit in functional gastrointestinal diseases although formal evidence is lacking. Apart from central effects, they may have peripheral. The present study was carried out to find out the possible effects of fluoxetine and paroxetine on gastrointestinal smooth muscles of rabbit as they cause severe nausea and vomiting initially.Methods: Experimental study design. Power lab (USA) for recording the contractions of ileal smooth muscle of rabbit in response to serotonin, fluoxetine and paroxetine.Results: The percent responses with serotonin, fluoxetine and paroxetine were 100, 10.53, and 4.75 percent respectively.Conclusions: SSRIs (fluoxetine and paroxetine) were unable to enhance the serotonergic transmission in vitro inturn decreases the qualitative response

Credit Risk in Asset Based Sukuk

Purpose: This study is intended to find the credit risks in Asset based Sukuk. The risk of default of Sukuk is called a credit risk. Various risks regarding the Sukuk have been identified. Limitations/Implications: The study focuses on the Sukuk issuances of Pakistan. In the current scenario of Pakistan and the need to finance the Diameer Bahasha Dam and Naya Pakistan Housing Program Sukuk is an attractive option. Pakistan has yet not overcome the energy shortfall, and the environment of Pakistan has been effected by the global changes so for the adoption of cleantech green Sukuk is a most appropriate option. Originality/ Value: There has been a significant contribution of Pakistan in the issuance of Sukuk activity and there are Sukuk defaults too. Yet, in Pakistan the research on Sukuk has not been done. So this study shall add to the literature in Pakistan

Factors associated with failed induction of labour in a secondary care hospital

Objective: To assess the factors associated with failed induction of labour (IOL) in a secondary care hospital.Method: This is a retrospective cross sectional study on women admitted for labour induction in Aga Khan Hospital for women Karimabad from 1st Jan, 2009 to 31st Dec, 2009. Induction was considered successful if the patient delivered vaginally and failed if it ended up in Caesarean Section.Result: Eighteen percent of our pregnant population who underwent induction of labour failed to deliver vaginally. About 25% of 328 nulliparous women had failed induction. With a Bishop score of \u3c5 in 84.3%. In 28.2% with prolonged latent phase of more than 20 hours in Caesarean section had to be performed.Conclusion: Nulliparity, poor Bishop score and prolonged latent phase had strongest association with failed Induction of Labour. Macrosomia, gestation age, bad obstetric history and pre labour rupture of membranes were other significant risk factors for emergency caesarean sections in IOL

Credit Risk Oracle: The Bifocal Approach

This study aims to examine the macroeconomic and bank specific predictors of Credit Risk (NPL) and their relevant degree of impact on banks in Pakistan. For bank variables a sample of big 10 banks has been taken from 2009 to 2018. For macro-economic variables sample of 2009 to 2018 has been taken from the world bank. As financial institutions play their role to support industries and alleviate poverty in a country, this study checks the effect of banking variables as well as the economic variables on the credit risk of banks by taking industrial sector growth as a moderator. The study found that NPLs are negatively associated with Lending interest rate, Bank investment, Capital adequacy ratio, Domestic credit to private sector, Financial depth and GDP growth while positively associated with Lending capability, Return on equity, Interest spread and Liquidity Ratio. The moderation effect of Industrial sector growth on the relationship of Lending Capability and NPLs is found to be strengthening the relationship

Assessment of Olfactory Fossa Depth based on Keros Classification using Computerised tomography (Ct) in Age Groups of Both Genders

Objective: Keros classification based assessment of olfactory fossa depth in different age groups of both genders using computerized tomography (CT) Methodology: Cross sectional study done at Ziauddin university, Clifton, Karachi. Sample size was 270 adults including 160 males & 110 females. The assessment of depth of Olfactory fossa was carried out by measuring the height of lateral lamella of cribriform plate on CT images. Result: Olfactory fossa of 270 patients from both sides of both genders were classified according to Keros classification. We found Type II to be the most frequent on both sides in both genders. No significant difference in olfactory fossa depth was found when compared in different age groups. Conclusion: The present study shows that vast majority of the population comes under Keros type II & type III thus emphasizing the need of pre-operative radiological assessment. Association of right & left olfactory fossa depth in different age groups was found to be insignificant

De-Risking Private Power in Bangladesh: How Financing Design Can Stop Collusive Contracting

Collusive contracting with private power plants in Bangladesh has resulted in high power prices that cost the taxpayer around U$1 billion in subsidies. The main driver of collusive contracting is the unwillingness of politically unconnected firms to engage in a high-risk environment. To attract investment, the government has adopted a targeted risk absorption strategy that negotiates mark-ups with interested firms. We argue that this strategy cannot discover the minimum mark-up that would induce investment. Moreover, because only politically connected investors are likely to be bidding and negotiating, this approach encourages investors to set high mark-ups. An alternative strategy is competitive risk-mitigation that provides contestable subsidies from development finance institutions (DFIs), such as preferential finance and partial risk guarantees. Contestable subsidies work by reducing risks of unconnected investors, encouraging their participation to make collusion more difficult, and constraining mark-ups. To test our hypothesis, we collect a dataset on plant-level DFI support and prices from 58 private power plants in Bangladesh from 2004 to 2017. Our empirical analysis finds that financing instruments with contestable subsidies from DFIs are associated with a 26% reduction in plant-level prices controlling for plant capacity, size, and fuel type