VFAST - Virtual Foundation for Advancement of Science and Technology (Pakistan)
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Modified Bracketing Iterative Method for Solving Nonlinear Equations
No full textNon-linear equations, depicted as curves in numerous everyday situations, have long piqued the curiosity of researchers and engineers due to their frequent occurrence in practical problems. Despite attempts to tackle these equations both analytically and numerically, analytical methods often fall short when the equation\u27s degree exceeds five, prompting the adoption of numerical approaches to yield approximate solutions. Consequently, this study places emphasis on segmenting intervals into smaller sub-intervals, with a particular focus on employing the Regula-Falsi method to integrate these segmented intervals, thereby enhancing its convergence rate. Furthermore, by utilizing the Regula-Falsi formula for interval segmentation, the number of iterations and computational time required are minimized. Additionally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified through numerical experiments involving various equation types, including algebraic, trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic, and transcendental equations, comparing the outcomes with established methods. The findings demonstrate that the proposed algorithm not only efficiently segments intervals but also enhances accuracy and reduces errors when these segmented intervals are utilized in conventional bracketing methods
Geometric Modelling of a Family of 3-point Quaternary Subdivision Schemes Rζ
Get PDFComputer-aided geometric design combines mathematical concepts and computing skills that smooth curves through subdivision schemes. Subdivision schemes perform smoothing by turning the control polygon into a limit curve under a refinement rule, a prime example of which is improving the signal-to-noise ratio in modern devices. Because of the importance and location of subdivision schemes, mathematicians use them in CAD, computer graphics and advanced simulation methods. In this research, a family of 3-point Quaternary approximating subdivision scheme is presented with its properties and analysis, including necessary conditions for convergence, Laurent polynomial, degree of the generation and polynomial reproduction, continuity analysis, Hölder regularity, and limit stencils. The visual performance of the proposed scheme is also presented to highlight the importance of this research and to validate the scheme
The Position of Javed Ahmed Ghamidi and Islamic Scholars on Nikkah and Child Marriage
Get PDFNikkah is a Muslim matrimonial ceremony which adopts the form a legal contract between a couple. According to the provisions of the Islamic laws that govern the legalization of marriage, there are various pre-requisites of Nikkah that needs to be fulfilled before official legalization of marriage. Islamic jurists and scholars are of the view that the Nikkah ceremony can be executed at any age provided that wedding processing doesn’t the place before the age of adolescence. The existing Islamic laws prevailed in Pakistan that govern the institution of marriage stipulate that the minimum age for marriage is 16 years. Though, several bills have been tabled in the parliament which has proposed the minimum age limit for marriage to 18 years. Additionally, the Islamic Ideological Council (ICC) has also endorsed the proposal of the parliamentary bill seeking the extension of minimum age limit to 18 years for marriage. Javed Ahmed Ghamidi, a renowned Islamic scholar hold distinct views about the minimum age limit for marriage. He opines that the minimum age limit for Nikkah should be 18 years. Besides, he further asserts that it is not essential for a bride to have a Wali (male guardian) to supervise a nikkah. On the other hand, great majority of the Islamic scholars believe that the presence of a Wali during legalization process of marriage is mandatory. Furthermore, proponents and jurists of Islamic jurisprudence believe that nikkah ceremony cannot be executed without the presence of a Wali and a Gawah (witness). Both bride and groom shall be accompanied by their respective witnesses. Ghamidi on the other hand refute such laws and expresses that neither the presence of a Wali nor a witness is necessary for execution of marriage ceremony. He also advocates that besides attainment of physical maturity, the attainment of mental maturity is also important for a girl to get married. He considers marriage of underage girls a cruelty and discrimination against girls. He proposes that the government of Pakistan should take serious measures to set the minimum age of marriage to 18 years. He also recommends that the wedding procession shall not take place before the attainment of adolescence. He advocates both the attainment of 18 years age and adolescence as pre-requisite for marriage besides the abolition of the condition of mandatory presence of a Wali and a witness for the execution of the marriage process
Exploring Educational Challenges of Hijabi Students in Pakistan: Development and Validation of a New Scale
Get PDFThe objective of the study was to develop a scale addressing the problems and challenges faced by Hijabi girls in their educational environment. The sample consisted of female students from the University of Sargodha in Punjab, specifically those who wear the "Hijab" (N=12). This interview-based study utilized a self-developed interview guide to collect data. Initially, an item pool was generated, followed by pilot testing, resulting in the establishment of a 12-item scale. While the convergent and divergent validity of the scale were assessed, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were not conducted. Future research is recommended to include these analyses for a more thorough validation of the scale. Educators can use insights from the scale to design awareness programs that educate students and staff about the challenges faced by hijabi/veil-wearing girls, fostering a more respectful and understanding school culture
A Corpus-Based Study of Adverbial Hedges in Pakistani English Newspaper Editorials
Get PDFThis study aimed to explore adverbial hedges as stance markers in Pakistani English Newspaper Editorials. For this purpose, the data was collected from four different newspapers. After this data was tagged with the help of TagAnt Tagger. AntConc (3.5.9 window) software was used for the manipulation of the data. The corpus was designed from different Pakistani English Newspaper Editorials which were selected randomly from online sources from 2016 to 2021. The purpose of this study was to inspect hedges in Pakistani English Newspaper Editorials. List of adverbial hedges proposed after categorizing of hedging types. The results depicted frequencies of adverbial hedges from the newspapers of each of the years. The literature review of this research study explained the importance of adverbial hedges in previous research. Moreover, the results were presented in the form of tables and charts for an in-depth understanding of adverbial hedges in Pakistani English Newspaper Editorials. This study found that hedges in the Pakistan English Newspaper Editorials made changes according to the style, frequency, and location of the content to make it more comprehensible and didactic. Adverbial hedges were frequently used in Pakistani English newspaper editorials. The events were typically viewed to connect with the text to generate cohesion and coherence in Pakistani English Newspaper Editorials, based on their criteria of choice for adverbial hedges. Furthermore, the research questions were answered but this study also objects to future research. The objectives of this study were also claimed to be interpreted
A Framework for Guava Wilt Disease Segmentation Using K-Means Clustering and Neural Network Techniques
Get PDFGuava fruit production is influenced by myriad of external and internal and the rapid decline in production is often attributed to various diseases. Among these, ‘Wilt’ disease stands out as a significant contributor to the decrease in guava fruit yield. This paper proposes and implement a framework leveraging advanced technologies, including image processing and machine learning techniques, to detect wilt disease at its early stages. To facilitate this, a database comprising 1420 images of guava plant leaves affected by wilt disease is created. The database is further categorized into three datasets based on the level of noise present in the images: fully noisy images, partially noisy images and noise-free-images. The segmentation of guava wilt disease is achieved through the application of K-means clustering sand Convolutional Neural Network techniques on the guava images. Remarkably, the proposed framework demonstrates a cumulative accuracy of 93.82% and 95.17% using K-means clustering and neural network algorithms, respectively. This innovative approach hold s promise for effectively managing and increasing guava fruit production by identifying and addressing wilt disease in its early stages
Social Protection and Clientelistic Politics: A Case Study of Benazir Income Support Program (BISP)
Get PDFSocial safety nets programs are not just assistance programs but these are significant elements for building and strengthening social contracts between states and citizens. The safety nets programs are used for the help of deprived segment of the society. Some theorist argues that these safety net schemes are utilize for making vote bank. This study was interested to contribute these debates through an analysis of cash grant scheme of BISP introduced by Pakistan People Party in 2008 BISP has received a tremendous support from the World Bank, USAID, ADB and DFID This study explores how the cash grant of BISP program is used by PPP for making vole bank. Case Study method was adapted to conduct this research study. District Nowshera was taken as a case for the analysis of the BISP scheme. Data is collected from primary and secondary sources Interview is used as a tool for data collection Numbers of persons of different cadres were interviewed for the sake of data collection in district Nowshera. After interviewing a number of persons randomly in district Nowshera, a lot of issues were found. These issues include technical and political issues. Technical issues include lope holes of BISP Poverty Score Card, fake forms and data steeling, fake call and SMS, ill- behavior and choice commission at Easy Paisa shops, Fake BISP forms selling, Ill -behavior of BISP staff, use of ATM Cards, issues in BVS (Biometric Verification System), and hurdles in getting stipend. While politically it was found that PPP utilized the name of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto late for making vote bank. They got the sympathies of public by utilizing her name. The beneficiary\u27s selection survey was also biased. All the surveyors were belonged to PPP. The political interference was involved in the survey. All the selection had done on politician\u27s choice. Favoritism and nepotism were the rule of the day. All the key position holders in BISP program were belonged to PPP. Billions of rupees were spent by propagating this scheme for making vote bank. This study has concluded that the BISP program of cash grant has used for clientelistic politics by Pakistan People Party
A Research-Based Critical Analysis of Julius Wellhausen\u27s Thoughts and Perspectives on the Story of Gharaniq
No full textThe story of Gharaniq, also known as the "Story of the Cranes" or "Satanic Verses," is a controversial and fabricated narrative alleging that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was momentarily influenced by Satan, causing him to recite words praising pagan idols during revelation. Orientalists, like Julius Wellhausen, have used this story to criticize Islam and the Prophet, portraying it as a political compromise with the polytheists of Makkah. However, scholars and hadith experts unanimously reject the narrations from Tarikh al-Tabari about this incident, citing their weakness, inconsistency, and unreliability. The story is considered fabricated (Mawdu\u27) and baseless, with no credible foundation in Islamic tradition. Attempts to propagate it are rooted in falsehood and hold no significance, as the integrity of the Quran and the Prophet (peace be upon him) remains firmly established
Relevant Issues Which Delayed The Achievement of African Unity From Nkrumah’s Struggle To The Present Day
Get PDFThis Article investigates on relevant issues which delayed the achievement of African unity from Nkrumah’s struggle to the present time. The aim is to determine the way Nkrumah did not succeed in realizing his vision for the unification of Africa. Using the historical approach, the study reveals that Nkrumah’s dream to saw African unity was failed because of controversial opinions and oppositions the first generation of the African leaders had not vigorously pursued the goal of unifying Africa, courage, will, dedication, determination and the loyalty that it deserved. They saw Nkrumah too radical and too ambitious as the one seeking to make Ghana a Black paradise. They therefore refused to follow his initiatives in the quest for unification in Africa because just fear of losing their power. The study also agrees that today it is the same scenario about African union. There are many debates among us, and there is no consensus on how to achieve African union; and Africa’s current generation of heads of States do not show their courage, will, action, and determination to the issue of African union, because they lack the methods and initiatives to apply in the search for African unity. Thus, their powerless in reflexions delays Nkrumah’s dream of African union at all levels. This Article concludes that we (the African people) must make the choice for our destiny, either to unite or disunite, because it will be a waste of time to look for the things which were not destined to us.
X-ray Image Analysis for Dental Disease: A Deep Learning Approach Using EfficientNets
Get PDFDental cavities are a highly common persistent dental problem that impacts populations across different age groups on a global scale. It is crucial to get a dental issue diagnosed as early as possible and with as much accuracy as possible to treat it efficiently and prevent any related issues. If a dental infection is not treated, it will eventually grow and cause tooth loss. Dental X-ray images are crucial and beneficial in the diagnostic process of dental diseases for dentists. By applying Deep Learning (DL) techniques to dental X-ray images, dental experts can efficiently and precisely detect dental conditions, including dental cavities, fillings and implants. The objective of this research is to assess the performance of DL-based methods for dental disease detection via panoramic radiographs. In this study, we evaluated the performance of all of the EfficientNet variants (e.g., EfficientNets B0-B7) to determine which one is the most effective model for detecting dental disease. Moreover, we utilized the Borderline Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE) to cope with the issue related to the minority classes contained in the dataset. To assess the efficacy of the model, various metrics are employed, including recall, accuracy, precision, loss, and F1-score. As a result, the performance of the EfficientNet-B5 model was superior to that of the other EfficientNet models. The EfficientNet-B5 model achieved the following values for its metrics: F1-score, accuracy, recall, AUC, and precision: 98.37%, 98.32%, 98.32%, 99.21%, and 98.32%, respectively. The accuracy rates for the EfficientNet-B0, EfficientNet-B1, EfficientNet-B2, EfficientNet-B3, EfficientNet-B4, EfficientNet-B6, and EfficientNet-B7, are 91.59%, 94.12%, 93.28%, 85.71%, 94.96%, 96.64% and 90.76%, respectively. The results indicated that the EfficientNet-B5 model performs better than other EfficientNet classifiers, which supports dental professionals significantly in the recognition of dental diseases